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Three month retail slide comes to a halt

11/09/2011

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal an increase in local retail trade.Retail turnover in South Australia for July 2012 was 0.8 per cent higher (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 0.5 per cent increase during the same month.

11/09/2011

Business indicator figures fro th ejune quarter released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal some positive news for local business.The data shows gross profit in Australia increased 6.7 per cent (seasonally adjusted), while wages and salaries increased by 2.3 per cent.Industry sectors with the largest increase in sales of goods and services included electricity, gas, water and waste services, while financial and insurance services were amongst those with the largest decreases.South Australia experienced a 0.9 per cent increase in sales of goods and services and a wage increase of 1.0 per cent in the June quarter.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the indicators reflected the pressure being felt by local business."These business indicator figures reveal our ongoing two speed economy, with some areas of the economy doing well while others are struggling," said Mr Vaughan."The economic environment in South Australia has improved slights, but our key business indicators remain below the national average."The rise in sales of goods and services was the smallest of all states in the country, highlighting that weak consumer demand is still a significant issue."While just over half of the fifteen industry sectors recorded an increase in the sales of goods and services, the significant increase in the mining and electricity, gas and water sectors were influential in the overall sales of goods and services, and gross operating profits.

11/09/2011

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in August 2011 decreased 0.1 percentage point to 5.1 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for August increased 0.1 percentage point to 5.3 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate remained at 65.6 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate decreased 0.5 per cent to 63.2 per cent.

4/07/2011

Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decrease in local retail trade and a rise in building approvals.Retail turnover in South Australia for May 2011 was 0.7 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which decreased 0.6 per cent during the same month.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that low consumer confidence is having a major impact on local businesses."South Australia's continued decline in retail trade data reflects current levels of confidence throughout the local economy," Mr Vaughan said."The decline in consumer spending exceeded the national average and follows the trends that we've seen in recent months."The weakness in retail sales is widespread which is concerning given the importance of the retail sector to South Australia's economy."Businesses coninue to feel the pressure from low levels of consumer spending, along with rising wage costs, increased utility bills and various other escalating costs, rates and levies."Local building approval figures went against the national trend wiht an increase in May 2011.Data revealed that South Australian building approvals increased by a seasonally adjusted 5.7 per cent in May. This was in contrast with the national trend which saw a decrease of 7.9 per cent.Approvals for private housing in South Australia also increased by 1.5 per cent, while national figures increased 0.7 per cent."South Australia went against the national trend with an increase in building approvals in May," Mr Vaughan said."The South Australian building approval data has been very volatile in recent months, however this is the second consecutive increase which is positive news."National private sector housing approvals continue to remain under pressure, signalling the economic uncertainty that remains throughout the local and national economy."Retail data and these national building approval figures indicate that the two-speed economy is hurting many industry sectors and the Reserve Bank must leave interest rates on hold in the coming months."

16/06/2011

The State's leading business membership organisation, Business SA, has acknowledged that the State Government has been restricted in what it has been able to deliver in today's State Budget.Business SA has supported the actions that look like maintaining the State's triple A credit rating, which is important for the future borrowing ability of South Australia.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the State Government had little room to move in this year's Budget."In the current economic climate this was always going to be a tough budget to formulate," Mr Vaughan said."The Government has had little alternative but to deliver a Budget which is in a holding pattern, however we support a return to surplus by 2012-13."The significant fall in GST earnings for South Australia was a concern in the lead up to the Budget, limiting the ability to address any wish lists."Taxation"It is disappointing that the Budget did not provide any tax relief for business."We've made our views very clear about the taxation burdens being faced by South Australian businesses and recent economic data indicates we are performing poorly compared with the rest of the country."We are not competing on a level playing field with the other States and current taxation burdens are having a direct impact on jobs and investment."The Government is aware of the taxation anchors weighing down economic growth and we will be pushing very hard for taxation reform in the second half of the Labor Government's term in office."Public Sector efficiency"We welcome the tough calls in the Budget to address the excessive public sector growth and the benefits that will flow through to the local economy."While steps have been introduced to address public sector inefficiency, red tape and layers of bureaucracy, we look forward to continuing action on the removal of permanent tenure."Infrastructure"The Budget outlined new and previously announced infrastructure projects and we welcome the opportunities that will be generated for local businesses."Infrastructure is an important driver of economic growth and improved infrastructure, from the Southern Expressway to critical CBD development such as the Adelaide Oval, will accommodate and drive a growing population."Skills Development"With skill shortages looming, we are pleased that adequate funding for education and training is committed to ensure that many of the reforms outlined in the Skills for All paper can be implemented successfully."

16/06/2011

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in May 2011 declined 0.1 percentage point to 5.4 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for May remained steady at 4.9 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate remained at 65.6 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 63.5 per cent.

6/06/2011

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decline in local retail trade and exports.Retail turnover in South Australia for April 2011 was 0.4 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which increased 1.1 per cent during the same month.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that consumers continued to lack the confidence to spend."The drop in local retail spending confirms the low levels of busines and consumer confidence throughout the local economy," said Mr Vaughan."The retail sector is a significant employer here in South Australia and it is concerning that our State had the only decrease in retail trade in April."Growth in retail sales remains weak and general economy data continues to highlight the impact of the mutil-speed economy and the need for businesses across the State to be able to build momentum."With rising costs throughout the community, the Reserve Bank must leave interest rates on hold next week, and in the coming months, to allow for general confidence levels to recover."International trade figures released today indicate a decrease in exports for South Australia in April.Nationall, the balance of goods and services for April was a surplus of $1.6 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $1.7 billion surplus in March.South Australian exports decreased 16 per cent in April, while imports also went agaist the national trend and decreased by 12 per cent."While the volatile nature of our local trade figures continues, it is concerning that exports went against the national trend and declined in April," Mr Vaughan said."The strong dollar and rising costs of doing business is making it a challenging environment for our local exporters."It is pleasing however that our local exports are well above the level that they were at the same time last year."Singaport was South Australia's largest import partner for the month, while China remains our largest export destination."

6/06/2011

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia's total building approvals and private housing approvals increased in April.Total building approval figures for South Australia increased by a seasonally adjusted 9.9 per cent in April and nationally the figures decreased 1.3 per cent from the previous month.Approvals for private housing in South Australia increased 0.9 per cent from the previous month, while national figures decreased 3.3 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the increase in local building approval data provided some good news for business."South Australia went against the national trend with an increase in building approvals in April," Mr Vaughan said."While the increase is positive news, our local building approval data continues to be very volatile and this month's increase follows a significant decrease in the previous month."The fall in national building approvals confirms the low levels of business and consumer confidence throughout the country."National private sector housing approvals are at their lowest level in two years and are more than 20 per cent below the level at the beginning of 2010."This latest data and yesterday's business indicator figures confirm that the Reserve Bank must leave interest rates on hold allow for a more widespread improvement in the economy."

6/06/2011

Business Indicator figures for the March quarter released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows gross profits in Australia decreased 2.0 per cent (seasonally adjusted), while wages and salaries increased by 1.4 per cent.Industry sectors with the largest increases in sales of goods and services included electricity, gas, water and waste services, while mining and other services were amongst those with the largest decreases.South Australia experienced a 2.9 per cent decrease in sales of goods and services and a wage decrease of 0.6 per cent in the March quarter.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the indicators reflected the pressure being felt by local business."These business indicator figures reveal our ongoing two speed economy, with some areas of the economy doing well while others are struggling," said Mr Vaughan."Unfortunately the economic enviornment in South Australia appears particularly weak, with our State having the largest decline in sales of goods and services and the only fall in waged and salaries."This data reflects the low levels of business and consumer confidence and it is concerning given the many other rising costs being faced by businesses."Weakening profits indicates that businesses are under pressure through lower margins and weak consumer demand."The Reserve Bank must take into consideration the extent of the multi-speed economy and leave interest rates on hold, allowing for a more widespread improvement in the economy."

13/05/2011

South Australian unemployment remained steady in April according to the State's leading business membership organisation, Business SA.The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in April 2011 remained at 5.4 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for April also remained steady at 4.9 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 65.6 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate increased 0.1 percentage point to 63.8 per cent.

13/05/2011

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a rise in local retail trade and a decrease in building approvals, according to the State's leading business memebership organisation, Business SA.Retail turnover in South Australia for March 2011 was 0.3 per cent higher (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which decreased 0.5 per cent during the same month.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the busy month of March had provided a much needed boost to retailers."It was pleasing that retail trade increased in March, particularly given that low consumer confidence has maintained pressure on local retailers," said Mr Vaughan.Local building approval figures went against the national trend with a decrease in March 2011.Data revealed that South Australian building approvals decreased by a seasonally adjusted 22.5 per cent in March. This was in contrast with the national trend which saw an increase of 9.1 per cent.Approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased by 2.1 per cent, while national figures also decreased 0.8 per cent.

13/05/2011

Business confidence has fallen in the March 2011 quarter, according to the State's leading business membership organisation, Business SA.The Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the March quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index decreased by three per cent to 92 points.The pressures in the retail sector, the high Australian dollar and the volatile economic recovery have contributed to the decline in business confidence.Business SA Chief Executive Office, Peter Vaughan, said that the survey results confirm the challenges that remain for the local business community."The decline in business confidence confirms that the local economy remains under pressure and businesses are concerned about the outlook," said Mr Vaughan."The fall in confidence also reflects the two-speed economy and particularly the weakness in retailing and the effect of the high Australian dollar."The widespread impact of natural disasters may have also affected confidence throughout the business community."Challenges remain throughout the local business community and it is concerning that confidence remains low despite on rate rises this year."Low consumer and business confidence is also having an impact on our local unemployment rate, which remains well above the national average."The positive sentiment towards general business conditions also came to a halt in the March quarter, decreasing five per cent to 88 points."The total sales revenue index decreased 3 per cent to 92 points in the March quarter 2011, however total sales revenue and general business conditions are expected to slightly improve in the next quarter.Mr Vaughan highlighted that speculation of future interest rate rises continues to restrict confidence."Over a third of businesses expect interest rates to rise in the next quarter and this is a major concern for business given the damage that was caused to many small businesses following the rate rise before Christmas," said Mr Vaughan."With the two-speed economy, it is essential that rates remain on hold to allow business and consumer confidence here in South Australia to gather some much needed momentum."Mr Vaughan said that the expectation is that labour costs will continue to rise."Our local unemployment rate remains well above the national average and almost threee quarters of respondents expect labour costs to increase in the June quarter."More than a quarter of respondents found skilled labour harder to source than the previous quarter, however nearly half expect the unemployment rate to remain steady in the June quarter."Folllowing the recent natural devastations across the country, demand for skilled labour will no doubt continue in the months ahead."Indications are that overhead costs will again increase next quarter, with more than half of businesses expecting costs to rise in the June quarter."One quarter of exporters indicated their export sales were down from the previous quarter, and over two thirds predicted exports to remain stable in the next quarter.Just over half of survey participants expect the Australian dollar to remain stable in the next quarter, while the majority of the remainder expect the dollar to fall.Carbon Tax: The March quarter 2011 survey also asked businesses about a carbon price, electricity prices and climate change policies.Almost 70 per cent of businesses did not support the introduction of a carbon price."There is certainly concern about the impact of a carbon tax which will provide a major blow to the business community and overall competitiveness," Mr Vaughan said."As costs go up, prices will follow and this will make businesses less competitive and put jobs at risk."When asked about their preference between a carbon tax and an emissions trading scheme, 45 per cent of businesses said neither, 20 per cent preferred an emissions trading scheme and 11 per cent preferred a carbon tax. Almost 13 per cent said that they did not know the difference.Around 85 per cent of respondents indicated that a carbon price would have a negative impact on their business and more than two thirds revealed that higher electricity prices were impacting their profitability.On the question of broader Government climate change policies, encouraging energy efficiency and increasing research and development spending on new technology were the preferred options (40 per cent each). Introducing a carbon price was preferred by just 6 per cent of respondents and planting trees was preferred by 9 per cent of respondents.

13/05/2011

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed that the national CPI increased 1.6 per cent from the December 2010 quarter to the March 2011 quarter, for an annual rate of 3.3 per cent.Adelaide's CPI figures increased 1.6 per cent in the same quarter, for an annual rate of 3.6 per cent.Business SA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Brett Mahoney, said that while inflation increased, local businesses remained under pressure."While there was a rise in inflation in the March quarter, interest rates must remain on hold when the Reserve Bank meets next," Mr Mahoney said."Inflation has breached the upper end of the Reserve Bank's target range, however this was largely due to one-off factors associated with natural disasters, including the rise in fruit and vegetable prices."The Reserve Bank's underlying measures of inflation are more subdued and we would expect the rate to decline over the next quarter."Rising petrol, fresh food and electricity prices are having a direct impact on consumer confidence and this is maintaining pressure on local businesses."Decreasing computing equipment, milk and funiture costs were not enough to offset the rise in fruit, vegetable and pharmaceutical costs."The Reserve Bank will be well aware that any rate rises will significantly increase the pressure on the economy, particularly given the impact of the last rate rise."

6/05/2011

The Confucius Institute at the University of Adelaide and the Australia China Business Council (SA) will hold the second China Briefing of 2011 in the heartland of the South Australian Wine industry, the Barossa Valley*. Hear the latest on the Chinese Wine Market from Wine industry experts as they discuss the crucial issues involved. The event is scheduled for Friday, 13 May 2011 from 9.00 am - 2.00 pm (business lunch included). Admission fee: $120/$85 (ACBC members)Limited seating available, so register today! Please note that registration deadline is Friday, 6 May 2011.Attached please find the flyer with more details as well as the speakers' profile.*DIRECTIONS to the venue (coming from Adelaide)The Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre is located between the townships of Rowland Flat and Tanunda. It is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from Adelaide CBD. From Adelaide get onto Main North Road, bypass Gawler by joining onto the Sturt Highway and then travel approx. 13.5km before taking a right turn to Tanunda along Gomersal Road.Turn right at the end of this road and drive approximately 3.8km. Look for the red and white Jacob's Creek flags at our main entrance on your right hand side.

28/03/2011

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in February 2011 increased 0.4 percentage points from the previous month's figure to 5.8 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for February remained steady at 5.0 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate decreased 0.1 percentage point to 65.7 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 63.4 per cent.

10/03/2011

The latest ABS figures show South Australia's export performance has continued to improve.Minister for Industry and Trade Tom Koutsantonis says this continued strength is significant given the high Australian dollar and the weakness of the European and US markets.He says in the 12 months to January 2011, South Australia's overseas goods exports totalled $9.5 billion, an increase of 15.6 per cent over the previous 12 months."This is on the back of a strong grain harvest and continued strength in our metal ores and scrap markets," he says."South Australia is continuing to go from strength to strength and this is all in fairly unfavourable economic conditions - which makes these figures even more pleasing."While export markets in the US and across Europe were slightly down, the emerging economies of India, China and the ASEAN region all experienced substantial growth."When we record an increase of 77 per cent in our exports to India and a 44 per cent increase in those to China you can safely say the State Government's targeted approach in those regions is a huge success," Mr Koutsantonis says."When the US and European markets fully recover from the global financial crisis we will have further room to improve."

2/03/2011

Business Indicator figures for the December quarter released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal mixed news for business.The data shows gross profit in Australia decreased 2.8 per cent (seasonally adjusted), while wages and salaries increased by 1.5 per cent.Industry sectors with the largest increases in sales of goods and services included financial and insurance services, while rental, hiring and real estate were amongst those with the largest decreases.South Australia experienced a 1.6 per cent increase in sales of goods and services and a wage increase of 1.0 per cent in the December quarter.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the indicators provided mixed news for business."These business indicator figures reveal our ongoing two speed economy, with some areas of the economy doing well while others are struggling," said Mr Vaughan."It is pleasing that eleven of the fifteen industry sectors recorded increases in the Sales of Goods and Services."However, with profits weakening it indicates that businesses are under pressure through lower margins and weak consumer demand."Higher interest rates are also playing a role in holding a back many sectors and the Reserve Bank must leave rates on hold and allow for a more widespread improvement in the economy."South Australia bounced back from the previous quarter to record a 1.6 per cent increase in the sales of goods and services during the busy December quarter."With continued rises in wages and salaries, labour cost presssures are adding to the heat being felt by businesses."

28/02/2011

Investment spending by South Australia's private sector is at an all-time high, according to the latest report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Treasurer Jack Snelling says the ABS Private New Capital Expenditure Report showed spending rose by 27 per cent seasonally adjusted in the December 2010 quarter."This is compared to a 1.3 per cent rise nationwide and it shows there is improving confidence among the South Australian private sector," Mr Snelling says."It is largely driven by a significant increase in investment in both mining and manufacturing and complements the infrastructure investment the South Australia Government is making."Mr Snelling says not only is private investment at its highest ever level in the December quarter, business investment is expected to remain strong."Investment expectations over the next 12 months are 21 per cent higher than the same time a year earlier, meaning South Australian businesses are optimistic for the year ahead," he says."According to the latest Access Economics Investment Monitor Report the value of investment projects under consideration in South Australia now totals $32 billion, including the proposed Olympic Dam expansion."Mr Snelling says that growth in South Australia's real private new capital expenditure over 2010 was 17.9 per cent, the highest in the country and more than three times the national figure.

23/02/2011

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia's total building approvals increased in December, while private housing approvals decreased.Total building approval figures for South Australia increased by a seasonally adjusted 1.1 per cent in December and nationallly the figure increased 8.7 per cent for the previous month.Approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased 11.2 per cent from the previous month, while national figures remained steady.International trade figures released today indicate an increase in exports for South Australia in December.Nationally, the balance of goods and services for December was a surplus of$1.98 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $2.08 billion surplus in November.South Australian exports increased 42.5 per cent in December, while imports went against the national trend and decreased by 14 per cent.

23/02/2011

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figure show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in January 2011 decreased 0.3 percentage points from the previous month's figure to 5.3 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for January remained steady at 5.0 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate increased 0.1 percentage point to 65.9 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 63.2 per cent.

23/02/2011

The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survery of Business Expectations for the December quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index increased marginally, by four per cent to 96 points.The rise in business confidence follows a slight increase during the previous quarter, which comes after significant drops in confidence levels earlier in the year.The interest rise in November prevented confidence levels bouncing back in the lead up to the Christmas trading period.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the survey results confirm that pressure remains on business."While it is pleasing that local business confidence is heading in a positive direction, confidence levels remain low and require a significant boost," said Mr Vaughan."The interest rate rise in November clearly had an impact on business and consumer confidence, which was damaging in the lead up to Christmas."Challenges still remain throughout the local business community and the rate rise, coupled with concerns over financial stability in Europe, deterred any significant bounce back in confidence in December."Improvement in some parts of the domestic ecomony enabled confidence to gain some ground in the December quarter."The local economy has been faced with high unemployment and slow retail trade, making November's rate rise more damaging."It is pleasing that sentiment towards general business conditions remained positive with a 6 per cent rise to 93 points in the September quarter."The total sales revenue index increased by 4 per cent and both general business conditions and total sales revenue are expected to be significantly higher next quarter.Mr Vanghan highlighted that speculation of future interest rate rises continues to restrict confidence."Almost 70 per cent of businesses expect interest rates to increase in the next quarter and this is a major concern given the many small businesses across the State that are struggling to build any sort of momentum," said Mr Vaughan.According to Joe Formichella, General Manager Corporate Financial Serives, South Australia and Northern Territory, Commonwealth Bank, the further shift in positive sentiment was welcome news for the South Australian economy, particularly against the backdrop of continuing global economic uncertainty."Whilst there are still concerns amongst businesses in South Australia, confidence is continuing to climb and it will be important for this trend to continue if we are to see an associated positive effect on future business investment," said Mr Formichella."It is worrying, however, to see that almost one-third of businesses stated that they regularly had difficulties managing their businesses' cash flow due to late or non-payments from their customers. This serves as a timely reminder to businesses on the importance of scenario-planning in order to best manage adverse business conditions."Mr Vaughan said that businesses expect labour costs to continue to rise."Our local unemployment remains above the national average and almost three quarters of respondents expect labour costs to increase in the March quarter."A quarter of respondents found skilled labour harder to source than the previous quarter, however nearly a half expect the unemployment rate to remain steady in the March quarter."Indications are that overhead costs will again increase next quarter, while half expect the cost of materials to remain the same."Two thirds of the exporters indicated their export sales were the same as the previous quarter, and almost two thirds predicted much of the same in the next quarter.Just under half of survey participants expect the Australian dollar to remain stable in the next quarter, while the remainder were split on whether it will rise or fall.The December quarter 2010 survey also asked businesses about environmental legislation and regulations, their cash flow and major issues for 2011.Almost 60 per cent of businesses stated that they didn't have an environmental plan and a quarter indicated concerns with environmental legislation and regulations.Almost one third of the surveys's responsdents stated that they often had difficulties managing their cash flow because their customers were not paying their bills.The biggest issues facing business in 2011 included business management and leadership, followed by the global economic recovery and international market volatility.

20/02/2011

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Science is predicting a record grain harvest for South Australia.Minister for Agriculture Michael O'Brien says ABARES estimates a 38 per cent increase in the 2010/11 winter crop production to 9.8 million tonnes - the largest on record."This increase in the estimate issued by ABARES is a result of more favourable growing conditions across South Australia compared with the previous season," Minister O'Brien says."While it is disappointing that excessive rain in some areas resulted in a reduction in grain quality, the growth in production across the State is still welcome news after the prolonged drought."Wheat production is up 38 per cent to 5.8 million tonnes, barley up 40 per cent to 2.9 million tonnes and canola up 37 per cent to 361,000 tonnes."South Australia's record harvest coincides with a 5.5 per cent rise in international wheat prices and an 8.4 per cent rise in international barley prices during the December quarter.Minister O'Brien says South Australian farmers faced a number of significant challenges this season including excessive rains in December and the continued threat from locust infestation.He also acknowledged the record harvest had been a major test of the logistics and infrastructure of South Australia's grain harvesting, transport, receivable and storage systems.

20/02/2011

A new $1 million State Government initiative aims to boost demand for South Australian wines, nationally and overseas.Funded through Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA), the $1 million four-year program will assist the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) to deliver education and training that enhances the industry's export capability.Agriculture Minister Michael O'Brien says the market development program will better support the wine industry and encourage further growth, particularly in China."This program will arm local businesses with practical information and the successful skills they need to thrive in a global market-place," he says."The project will also help South Australian wineries to identify their point of difference, what it is that sets them apart from their interstate and overseas counterparts, which is important in a crowded market place."This will be delivered through workshops, mentoring, and collaboration with existing wine export trade initiatives."Minister O'Brien says the launch of the initiative follows a State Government election commitment to drive growth in South Australia's food and wine sector.The South Australian Wine Industry Council (SAWIC) co-chair Louisa Rose says the program complements the industry and government's broader strategy, Wine: A Partnership 2010-15.The grape and wine industry contributed an estimated $1.9 billion in sales and exports to the State's economy in 2009-10, and is South Australia's third largest export commodity.

3/02/2011

As a stakeholder and someone who has an interest in the State sponsored Business Skills Visa program, I wanted to inform you that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has released a public discussion paper via their website on Monday 10th January, 2011 regarding the Business Skills Visa Program and the current review that is being undertaken. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to provide your valuable feedback to DIAC .A copy of the discussion paper is attached below for your review.DIAC is seeking feedback via email by COB Friday 11th February, 2011 by public stakeholders.Please note: This discussion paper is not a set of changes coming into the program. This is DIAC asking for feedback on their observations of the program so far that may result in changes at a later date.

13/01/2011

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decrease in local exports.International trade figures indicate local exports decreased, while imports increased for South Australia in November.Nationally, the balance of goods and services for November was a surplus of $1.93 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised surplus of $2.56 billion in October.South Australian exports decreased 25 per cent for the month while nationally exports decreased marginally. Local imports followed the national trend and increased 10 per cent.

13/01/2011

The State's leading business membership organisation, Business SA, responded to the Institute of Public Affairs 2010 State Tax Report.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that it was a major concern that South Australia continues to impose the highest level of business taxes."This latest taxation report again confirms that South Australian businesses are not competing on a level playing field with the other States," Mr Vaughan said."We've been highlighting the fact now for some time that South Australia's current taxation burdens are having a direct impact on jobs and investment."Not only are the findings of this report a concern but they also highlight our uncompetitive taxation system to the rest of the country."We have welcomed taxation relief in recent State Budgets but we still have a long way to go if we are serious about removing these major burdens on businesses throughout the State."Our high levels of land tax deters local businesses from expanding and discourages interstate and overseas companies from investing in South Australia."Our State currently has the highest unemployment in the nation and taxation pressures, such as our low payroll tax threshold, are having an impact on employment levels."

13/01/2011

Retail turnover in South Australia for November 2010 was 0.9 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 0.3 per cent increase during the same month.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the data was a concern, particularly in the lead up to Christmas."The November interest rate rise could not have come at a worse time and it clearly dampened consumer confidence," said Mr Vaughan."South Australia had the largest fall in retail trade in November and our unemployment rate remains the highest in the nation."The business community was looking forward to building some momentum towards the Christmas trading period, however the rate rise left spending money in the pockets of consumers."Unfortunately local businesses were unable to capitalise on post Christmas sales or create further employment opportunities, with the State shutting up shop over the Christmas period."Local business confidence has been down and interest rates must remain on hold well into the year."

13/01/2011

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia's total building approvals decreased in November, while private housing approvals were flat.Total building approval figures for South Australia decreased by a seasonally adjusted 2.7 per cent in November and nationally the figure decreased 4.2 per cent from the previous month.Approvals for private housing in South Australia remained steady following a decrease the previous month, while nationla figures decreased 1.7 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that local figures reflected the pressure being felt in the lead up to Christmas."The interest rate rise in November had a major impact throughout the economy and this is reflected in the data," Mr Vaughan said.These are among a range of figures that do not justify the recent interest rate rise and many sectors of the economy were hit hard in the lead up to Christmas."Also impacting on building approvals is the low population growth, which is at its lowest rate since March 2007."The fall in both local and national building approvals confirms the low leves of business and consumer confidence throughout the country."Businesses and families remain under pressure and interest rates must be left on hold in the coming months."

9/01/2011

BDI grants of up to $250,000 can be used for activities as business planning, marketing and employment of staff.Applications can be submitted year-round and will be reviewed according to Merit Criteria which includes the feasibility and commercial viability of the activities and the commercial expertise and skill of the management team.For more information visit: http://www.bioinnovationsa.com.au/business-development-initiative-bdi-grantFor further information contactMr Neil FinlaysonEmail: neil.finlayson@bioinnovationsa.com.auPhone: 08 8217 6400Web: http://www.bioinnovationsa.com.au/

9/01/2011

The Gateway Business Program can meet eligible expenses incurred in developing international markets. Successful applicants may receive up to $20,000 over two years for eligible projects. Individual project caps range between $2,000 and $10,000. Eligible projects include: Researching feasible overseas markets Developing marketing material for distribution overseas Participating in international trade shows and trade missions Adapting websites for specific international markets Undergoing export specific mentoring Supporting incoming buyers.To be eligible, an applicant must have been in business for at least two years and turn over more than $150,000 a year. To be successful, an application must rate highly against the program's criteria, and against competing applications from other companies. Companies can receive Gateway Business Program funding only once. Applications for the Gateway Business Program may be made at any time. However, applications are assessed and funding approved in four rounds each year, the next two rounds will close at 5pm, 28 February 2011 and 29th April 2011 For further information visit: Gateway Business Program.For further information contactInformation ContactEmail: DTEDGateway@sa.gov.auPhone: 08 8303 2400 Web: http://www.southaustralia.biz/

9/01/2011

EligibilityProjects must involve capital expenditure of a minimum of $300,000. Projects with a bias towards innovation and the introduction of new technology will be given priority. The applicant must: • be a small to medium sized enterprise (SME) with a turnover of less than $10 million per annum; • be directly engaged in manufacturing; • have an Australian Business Number (ABN); • be a legal entity with whom the South Australian Government can enter into a legally binding Funding Agreement; • have a demonstrated ability to fund the remaining share of the project costs; and • be willing to formalise the arrangement in a Funding Agreement with nominated milestones. The objective of the Program is to support small to medium sized manufacturing businesses to introduce new technology, new products/services and/or enter new markets. Program funding supports direct costs relating to: purchase of capital items directly related to the production of a new product; and/or purchase of capital items directly related to improving the efficiency and/or capacity of production; and/or the cost of training directly related to the new capital item; and/or professional services critical to the capital item (eg. engineering, technical, design and development).For further information visit: http://www.innovatesa.com.au/innovate-sa.For further information contactBob JonesEmail: southern@innovatesa.com.auPhone: 08 8201 7520Web: http://www.innovatesa.com.au/

5/01/2011

Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, and South Australia's Minister for Industry and Trade, Tom Koutsantonis, have announced their respective governments have signed a new State Migration Plan to help meet South Australia's skilled workforce needs."State Migration Plans are part of the Australian Government's continued commitment to supporting the Australian economy by attracting skilled migrants who can positively contribute to our workforce," Mr Bowen says."The implementation of State Migration Plans will provide flexibility for state and territory governments to nominate skilled migrants in a broader range of occupations than are currently offered on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)."The South Australian State Migration Plan specifies the occupations that are available for state sponsorship in the ‘general skilled' category for 2010-11."This Plan recognises that there are specific occupations required by South Australia's industry sectors in order for the state to build a prosperous economy," Mr Koutsantonis says."With more than $80 billion of major projects underway or in the pipeline, and strong prospects of outperforming the national economy over the next decade, there is a demand for skills in South Australia that may not be met by our local workforce."There are 258 occupations on the State Migration Plan, some of which will be unique to South Australia.Under the plan, there will be an overall target for visa grants each year. For 2010-11, South Australian's quota is 4,890 visa grants, which includes primary applicants and their dependants.South Australia's nominated occupations and associated eligibility criteria are listed on theImmigration SA website http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/.

23/12/2010

The Migration for Business Growth program office will be closed from 3.00pm Friday 24 December 2010 and will re-open Tuesday 4 January 2011.Thank you for your support in 2010, and we look forward to a great 2011. We wish you a happy and safe festive season.Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Migration for Business Growth program

14/12/2010

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in November 2010 decreased 0.1 percentage point from the previous month's figure to 5.6 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for November decreased 0.2 percentage points to 5.2 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 66.1 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 63.5 per cent.

6/12/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decrease in local retail trade and a rise in exports.Retail turnover in South Australia for October 2010 was 0.2 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous months' figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 1.1 per cent decrease during the same month.International trade figures released today indicate an increase in exports for South Australia in October.Nationally, the balance of goods and services for October was a surplus of @2.63 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $1.81 billion surplus in September.South Australian exports increased 38.3 per cent in October, while imports also followed the national trend and decreased by 0.6 per cent.

2/12/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia's total building approvals increased in October, however private housing approvals decreased.Total building approval figures for South Australia increased by a seasonally adjusted 6.1 per cent in October and nationally the figures increased 9.3 per cent from the previous month.Approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased 2.1 per cent, while national figures increased 1.5 per cent.

2/12/2010

Business indicator figures for the September quarter released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics signal concern for business.The data shows gross profits in Australia decreased 1.5 per cent (seasonally adjusted), while wages and salaries increased by 2.1 per cent.Industry sectors with the largest increase in sales of goods and services included adminstrative and accommodation services, while financial and arts were amongst those with the largest decreases.South Australia experienced a 1.3 per cent decrease in sales of goods and services and a wage increase of 2.1 per cent in the September quarter.

1/12/2010

Premier Mike Rann has announced the value of major developments in South Australia has hit a record $80 billion, with almost half generated in the minerals and resources sector.In releasing the South Australian Major Developments Directory today at the SA Investment Symposium, Mr Rann says the leap in projected investments in the past few years is a huge vote of confidence in the future of the State economy."Major developments are the engine room of our economy," Mr Rann said."We are seeing continued high levels of public and private spending on mining, urban development and defence."The record $80 billion figure is a significant increase on the $71.5 billion I announced 12 months ago, and almost double the $44.8 billion worth of projects that were underway in 2007."The steadily-rising investment figure reflects the emphasis this Government is placing on infrastructure expansion and renewal, as with all high levels of investor confidence in SA's future."Major projects have widespread economic spin-offs, particularly in job creation and skills development," Premier Rann says.The South Australian Major Developments Directory 2010/11, which documents:$36.3 billion in the minerals and energy sector, $17 billion in urban development, $8.6 billion in defence, $5.2 billion in manufacturing and industrial development, $4.8 billion in education and health, $4.68 billion in infrastructure, and $3.5 billion in water management.Projects listed in this directory are all either under construction, approved and awaiting commencement, or at various stages of their planning or feasibility processes.The new record total does not count the projects valued at a total of more than $1 billion that have been completed in the past year.Projects in the pipeline include:The $135 million expansion of the Prominent Hill mine The duplication of the Southern Expressway, valued at $445 million The redevelopment of the Adelaide Oval precinct, worth $535 million The recently approved redevelopment of the Crown Hotel at Victor Harbor, valued at $80 million."As our Economic Development Board (EDB) points out, major developments in mining, defence and construction are delivering benefits now, with further strong growth in manufacturing, engineering and the provision of services expected over the next decade," Mr Rann said.

1/12/2010

The South Australian Government is encouraging small to medium sized businesses to take advantage of $1 million in export assistance grants.The Gateway Business Program offers eligible firms up to 50 per cent off export-related expenditure, with a maximum grant of $20,000 over two years.Minister for Industry and Trade Tom Koutsantonis says it will help South Australian enterprises to develop overseas markets and grow their businesses."The Gateway Business Program will enable South Australian companies to take the next step and begin exporting," Mr Koutsantonis says."Firms are eligible to apply if they have been in business for at least two years and turn over more than $100,000 a year. "A successful applicant may receive a grant of up to $20,000 over two years for eligible projects. Individual project caps range between $2,000 and $10,000."Currently only a small percentage of South Australian businesses export their products and the State Government wants to see this increase through the provision of market intelligence, on-ground business matching and support through a grants program."Mr Koutsantonis says projects eligible for the Gateway Business Program include: o Researching feasible overseas marketso Developing marketing material for distribution overseaso Participating in international trade shows and trade missionso Adapting websites for specific international marketso Undergoing export specific mentoringo Supporting incoming buyers"While South Australia is holding its own, exports have been hit by the Global Financial Crisis, the high dollar and a fall in grain prices - among other reasons," he says. "The value of our exports has increased over the past decade and it's important that local businesses continually strive to achieve their maximum exporting potential."We must have more South Australian businesses involved in exporting, particularly the services sector and new, developing sectors such as advanced manufacturing, defence, sustainable energy and water technologies."Our proximity to South East Asia and the expanding economies of China, India and Vietnam offers enormous export potential, as the burgeoning middle class in these countries create huge markets for the goods and services we produce. "SA companies wanting to tap into these markets can utilise the Gateway Business Program and the State Government's trade offices strategically located throughout the Asia/Pacific region," Mr Koutsantonis says.For further information visit www.southaustralia.biz/gateway

14/10/2010

Business SA and the local business community celebrated the efforts and achievements of business migrants as part of the Migration for Business Growth Moon Festival and Business Migrant Awards celebration. The awards recognised the business and personal achievements of business migrants in South Australia with five awards for: export business; local business; innovative marketing, and significant contribution to the Chinese and Korean business migrant communities.Award winners, announced today, are:Effort Award - Export Business (two winners)Golden Triumph Pty Ltd - export grape wine, grape juice and olive oil to Europe, Asia and Africa.FYS Trade Pty Ltd - oaten hay export to Korea.Effort Award - Local Business, Large Australia Lian Da Pty Ltd - large scale property development company.Effort Award - Local Business, SmallAustralian Uncommon New Tech Trading Pty Ltd - new technologies in packaging, tyre recycling and carp processing.Marketing Award (two winners)Auspride Pty Ltd - export natural Australian products including wine, olive oil, seafood, wool-products, milk products and cosmetics.OGAMCOM Pty Ltd - publishing (Adelaide Focus Korean magazine) and Adelaide Waffle Café.Significant Contribution to the Chinese Business Migrant Community Mr Chenghui Xu & Ms Chunying LengSignificant Contribution to the Korean Business Migrant Community Mr In-Ho HwangBusiness SA Chief Operating Officer, Brett Mahoney said that business migrants played a very important role in the State's economy. "Business migrants not only bring new business to our economy but they also have expertise and business links around the world that many of us can utilise," Mr Mahoney said."The export benefits are just one element of the contribution that business migrants bring to South Australia."It is essential that we not only attract, but also retain these migrants here in South Australia and the services provided by the Migration for Business Growth program aim to do this."The business migrant awards provide worthy recognition to the outstanding businesses across the State and also communicate the success stories that will provide an example for other new businesses to follow."The number of award nominees in each category was high and the awards ceremony was sold out again this year. The success of this event reinforces the enthusiasm and energy of our growing business migrant community." Business SA's Migration for Business Growth is supported by the State Government and the program connects business migrants with the South Australian business sector through initiatives that include business matching, networking, and cross-cultural business issues. Click here to see photos from the event

14/10/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals a small increase in local retail trade and international trade.Retail turnover in South Australia for August 2010 was 0.1 per cent higher (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 0.3 per cent increase during the same month.International trade figures released indicate an increase in exports for South Australia in August.Nationally, the balance of goods and services for August was a surplus of $2.35 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $1.74 billion surplus in July.South Australian exports increased 4.8 per cent in August, while imports followed the national trend and decreased by 11.6 per cent.

14/10/2010

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in September 2010 increased 0.1 percentage point from the previous months' figure to 5.5 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for September remained at 5.1 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 65.6 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate remained at 63.5 per cent.

14/10/2010

The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survry of Business Expectations for the September quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index increased marginally, by one point to 92 points.The slight rise follows two consecutive decreases in business confidence, including a 26 per cent fall in the previous quarter.The steady confidence levels reflect that movement of interest rates which have been at current levels since May 2010.The total sales revenue index also increased by 5 per cent and both general business conditions and total sales revenue are expected to be significantly higher next quarter.Two thirds of exporters indicated their export sales were the same as the previous quarter, and just under two thirds predicted much of the same in the next quarter.Just under half of survey participants expect the Australian dollar to remain stable in the next quarter, while the remainder were split on whether it will rise or fall.The September quarter 2010 survey also asked businesses about the impact of the Federal election, their cash flow and banking visibility.More than 80 per cent of businesses were concerned by the policy uncertainty caused by the outcome of the Federal election, while 61 per cent belived the outcome would negatively impact their investment plans and 77 per cent believed it would negatively impact the economy.Almost one third of the surveys' respondents stated that they often had difficulties managing their cash flow because their customers were not paying their bills. 61 per cent indicated that it was essential to have full visibility over their banking.

14/10/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia's total building approvals increased in August, however private housing approvals decreased.Total building approval figures for South Australia increased by a seasonally adjusted 11.2 per cent in August and nationally the figures decreased 4.7 per cent from the previous month.Approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased 3.6 per cent, while naitonal figures also decreased 4.3 per cent.

8/09/2010

Free Export ExpoThursday 23 September2- 4.30pm, Grand Chifley Adelaide, 208 South TerraceMeet the exporters, get information and sample produce from South Australian businesses with products to export. Our translators will help you connect with them. No pre- registration required! How to Buy a Business Information Session & NetworkingWednesday 22 September1.30 - 3.30pm, Info session - 3.30 - 4.30 networkingGrand Chifley Adelaide, 208 South TerraceCost: FreeSeats limited phone 8300 0013 to book your seat.

8/09/2010

You are invited to a special occasion to celebrate the 2010 Moon Festival and to recognise the achievements of business migrants in South Australia. 11.45 - 2pm, Friday 24 SeptemberGrand Chifley Hotel, 208 South Terrace, Adelaide$35pp business migrant / $77pp other Two course meal with beverages and fantastic lucky draw prizes to be won! Buy your tickets NOW as seats are limited - call 8300 0013 or fill in the attached form!Special guest The Honourable Tom Koutsantonis MP, Minister for Industry and TradeAwards will be presented for:1. Effort Award - Export Business 2. Effort Award - Local Business 3. Marketing Award - for innovative and outstanding marketing activity 4. Award for significant contribution to the business migrant community How to Buy a Business Information Session & NetworkingWednesday 22 September1.30 - 3.30pm, Info session - 3.30 - 4.30 networkingGrand Chifley Adelaide, 208 South TerraceCost: FreeSeats limited phone 8300 0013 to book your seat.Free Export ExpoThursday 23 September2 - 4.30pm, Grand Chifley Adelaide, 208 South TerraceMeet the exporters, get information and sample produce from South Australian businesses with products to export. Our translators will help you connect with them. No pre- registration required!

17/08/2010

Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decline in local retail trade and building approvals.Retail turnover in South Australia for June 2010 was 0.1 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which increased 0.2 per cent during the same month.Local building approval figures followed the national trend with a significant decrease in June 2010.Data revealed that South Australian building approvals decreased by a seasonally adjusted 25.4 per cent in June. This was in line with the national trend which saw a decrease of 3.3 per cent.Approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased by 4.0 per cent. while national figures decreased 2.5 per cent.

17/08/2010

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in July 2010 decreased 0.3 precentage points from the previous month's figure to 5.1 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for July increased 0.2 percentage points to 5.3 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 65.5 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate increased 0.1 percentage point to 63.4 per cent.

17/08/2010

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed that the national CPI increased 0.6 per cent from the March 2010 quarter to the June 2010 quarter for an annual rate of 3.1 per cent.Adelaide's CPI figures increased 0.7 per cent in the same quarter, for an annual rate of 2.8 per cent.

12/08/2010

South Australia and Tasmania were the only states to record a decrease in unemployment, according to figures released today. Australia's unemployment rate has been seasonally adjusted to 5.3 per cent in July, compared with an unrevised 5.1 per cent in June, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) says. Full-time employment fell 4200 to 7866 million in the month and part-time employment was up by 27,700 to 3369 million. The participation rate in July was 65.5 per cent, up from an upwardly revised 65.3 per cent in June. Business SA chief executive officer Peter Vaughan said the data was welcome news following the pressure being felt throughout the local economy. This is a reverse in the trend from the previous month where South Australia was the only State to see a rise in its unemployment rate,? he said. ?Business and consumer confidence has been low and it is pleasing the new financial year has brought with it a decline in local unemployment.

4/08/2010

The Reserve Bank has left the cash rate unchanged following its monthly board meeting today, providing relief for both borrowers and Federal Labor. As widely expected, the central bank left the cash rate at 4.5 per cent for a third straight month. The decision was influenced by key elements of last week's consumer price index proving benign. Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens said current interest rates were around the average level of the past decade. "With economic growth likely to be close to trend, inflation close to target and the global outlook remaining somewhat uncertain, the board judged this setting of monetary policy to be appropriate," he said in a statement. If the Reserve Bank board needed any further reasons to leave the cash rate unchanged, then it didn?t have to look any further than two fresh pieces of economic data. The Australian Bureau of Statistics said retail spending grew by just 0.2 per cent, seasonally adjusted, in June to $20.2 billion. That was half the growth economists had predicted. At the same time, building approvals sank for a third straight month. AAP

22/07/2010

The State Government has announced it will review the State's population policy to ensure South Australia continues to grow in a sustainable way.Industry and Trade Minister Minister Tom Koutsantonis will oversee the development of the review."It is all about getting the balance right," he says."We need our population to grow so that our economy continues to expand, but, we also need to take into account the impact of an expanding population on climate change, urban planning, transport, the provision of health services and water infrastructure."Mr Koutsantonis says much has changed since the publication in 2004 of the last population policy, which forecast population decline in the lead-up to 2030."What a difference a few years make," Mr Koutsantonis says."In 2005, South Australia achieved its net overseas migration target of 8,500 per year - years ahead of schedule - and we have exceeded our fertility target with a rate of 1.88 births per woman, against our target of 1.7."As of December 2009, the State's population was 1,633,900, within easy reach of the target for 2014 of 1.64 million."South Australia's population policy review follows an announcement by the Federal Government of its own review, to be undertaken by Australia's first Minister for Sustainable Population, Tony Burke.

15/07/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decline in local retail trade and a rise in building approvals.Retail turnover in South Australia for May 2010 was 0.9 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which increased 0.2 per cent during the same month.Local building approval figures went against the national trend with a significant increase in May 2010.Data revealed that South Australian building approvals increased by a seasonally adjusted 30.6 per cent in May. This was against the national trend which saw a decrease of 6.6 per cent.Approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased by 0.3 per cent, while national figures increased 1.7 per cent.

15/07/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal an increase in local export figures.International trade figures indicate local exports increased, while imports decreased for South Australia in May.Nationally, the balance of goods and services for May was a surplus of $1.65 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $1.12 billion surplus in April.South Australian exports increased above the national trend with a 20 per cent increase in exports for the month.

15/07/2010

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in June 2010 increased 0.1 percentage points from the previous month's figure to 5.4 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for June remained at 5.1 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate increased 0.1 percentage point to 65.2 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate also increased 0.1 percentage point to 63.2 per cent.

13/07/2010

Business confidence has continued to decline during the June 2010 quarter.The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the June quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index decreased 26 per cent to 91 points.It is the second consecutive decrease in business confidence following a rise in confidence in mid to late 2009.The slide in confidence for the June quarter is being attributed to the continued increases in interest rates, the proposed Resource Super Profits Tax, the European sovereign debt crisis and the uncertainty associated with the Federal election.The total sales revenue index decreased by 15 per cent, however, both general business conditions and total sales revenue are expected to be slightly higher next quarter.Half of survey participants expect the Australian dollar to decrease in the next quarter, while a large proportion of the remainder predicted it to remain stable.The June quarter 2010 survey also asked businesses about the national policies of the Federal Government, and about their cash flow and banking visibility.More than half of businesses indicated that fiscal policy (taxation and government spending) needs urgent addressing by the next Federal Government.An overwhelming 98 per cent strongly agreed or agreed that the Federal Government should provide a comprehensive response to the Henry Taxation Review.Over 90 per cent stated that the Commonwealth Government should take over control of the Murray-Darling Basin.Almost one third of the surveys' respondents stated that they often had difficulties managing their cash flow because their customers were not paying their bills. 61 per cent indicated that it was essential to have full visibility over their banking.

24/06/2010

Strong demand from business at Seaford Industry Park in Adelaide's south has led the State Government to make its fifth land release in five years.Infrastructure Minister Patrick Conlon says the further release of 11 serviced blocks was proof of the success of the Industry Park."The past four land releases have sold quickly once on the market - the first 50 blocks are sold out and there's no doubt this is a real success story for Adelaide's south," Minister Conlon says."The Seaford Industry Park is vital to the ongoing and rapid expansion in the area."Current tenants at the park include Bunnings, South Link, Prestige Linings and Beach Glass.Managed by the State Government's Land Management Corporation (LMC), the Seaford Industry Park is located 15km south of the CBD and comprises 32 hectares of prime industrial land close to the Southern Expressway.LMC Chief Executive Wayne Gibbings says the latest land release features blocks ranging from 1,900 to 4,560 square metres to suit local industry demands."The land at Seaford Industry Park is among the most affordable in metropolitan Adelaide, with smaller serviced and development-ready allotments priced between $165,000 and $330,000," Mr Gibbings says."With its proximity to the Seaford shopping centre and the planned Seaford rail extension, it really is the perfect location not only for local southern suburbs businesses but also for larger state and national companies."

24/06/2010

South Australia and China have entered a new era of economic co-operation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Industry and Trade Minister Tom Koutsantonis and Mr Chen Yuan, President of China Development Bank.Mr Koutsantonis signed the MOU in Canberra in front of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping."This MOU will enhance investment opportunities in resources, infrastructure and agriculture and is the culmination of intensive negotiations between South Australian Government officials and the China Development Bank," Mr Koutsantonis says."It will open more doors to two way investment and trade with the world's fastest growing economy."In April this year, CDB representatives visited Adelaide and met businesses working with Chinese companies on South Australia projects."We are working closely with the Bank's commercial clients to increase investment and trade relations and boost Chinese investment in South Australia."The resilience of the Chinese economy is one of the keys to Australia's and South Australia's economic performance and our State continues to cultivate strong and mutually beneficial ties with China."While in Canberra, Mr Koutsantonis also witnessed the signing of a joint venture agreement between the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Altona Energy in a project in the Arckaringa Basin, near Coober Pedy, to extract coal and convert it to oil.The multi-billion dollar project will produce 8 million barrels of oil per year.

24/06/2010

South Australia's food sector has the potential to emulate the defence and mining industries in terms of export growth opportunities.The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Development, Michael O'Brien, has urged producers to continue being innovative in meeting challenges and capturing new markets."The South Australian Food Plan sets a target of $16 billion in gross food revenue by 2015 - that's nearly $4 billion more than the very commendable 2008-09 result."It is a target that is realistic and certainly achievable, but will require effort, innovative thinking and smart choices."Mr O'Brien has addressed an Advantage SA industry forum focused on the State's agribusiness sector at Adelaide's Central Market.This was the first stop on an Advantage SA "Around the State" tour that's taking members and guests to Kangaroo Island businesses Rare Breeds Farm, KI Abalone Farm, Southern Ocean Lodge and Lifetime Private Retreats."People around the world who appreciate the highest quality food and wine are deliberately seeking our products," Mr O'Brien says."We must capitalise on this preference and build demand in new and existing markets."I see no reason why our food sector cannot take advantage of emerging opportunities in the same way our defence and minerals and energy sectors are each building an international presence."South Australia produced about 44 per cent of the nation's wine and 64 per cent of its wine exports, valued at $1.57 billion, in 2008-09.

24/06/2010

Julia Gillard has become Australia's first female prime minister after Kevin Rudd stood aside at the last minute before this morning's historic leadership ballot.Ms Gillard was unelected unopposed, making her the nation's 27th prime minister and its first female leader. She has chosen Treasurer Wayne Swan to be her Deputy Prime Minister.

23/06/2010

China is Australia's largest trading partner, and its thirst for iron ore and natural gas helped keep Australia out of the global recession.Mr Rudd said the 10 deals focused on resources and energy."This demonstrates the dynamic relations between the two countries in this sector, and the strong complementarity of the two economies," he said in a statement.Under one deal, Chinese companies will help fund a US$8 billion coal mine, railway and coal-loading terminal near Bowen in Queensland.Mr Rudd said that deal would yield $A4 billion in exports each year for 25 years.Another deal commits Chinese experts and engineers to work on the expansion of Fortescue's iron ore projects in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, which Mr Rudd says will be worth $A5 billion a year in exports.Fortescue boss Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest is a vocal opponent of the government's proposed new mining tax.China Development Bank will provide $US1.2 billion for a joint venture to build a new port and rail facilities at Oakajee in Western Australia, and invest in Aquila's coal and iron ore projects in the Pilbara.Not all of the deals involve resources.A new quarantine arrangement will allow for Tasmanian apples to be exported to China, while other deals aim at cooperation in education and telecommunications.NEW DEALS$US1.2 billion ($A1.36 billion) facility agreement between Karara Mining Ltd and China Development Bank Corporation (CDB). Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation on project development between South Australia and CDB. MoU on cooperation on project development between Aquila Resources and CDB. MoU between the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and The Australian National University. Joint-venture agreement between China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Arckaringa Energy Pty Ltd. Strategic Partnership Agreement between Telstra and ZTE. Engineering and procurement contract cooperation agreement for China Gezhouba Group Company Ltd to provide procurement, engineering and design services to Fortescue Metals. Cooperation agreement of China First Coal Development between Resourcehouse, Export-Import Bank of China, Metallurgical Corporation of China and China Power Holdings. MoU between the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism of Australia and the National Energy Administration of the People's Republic of China on enhancing cooperation in the field of energy. Protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of apples from Tasmania to China.

17/06/2010

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in March 2010 decreased 0.3 percentage points from the previous month's figure to 5.3 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for May decreased 0.2 percentage points to 5.2 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 65.1 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 63.2 per cent.

17/06/2010

Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal an increase in local export figures.International trade figures indicate local exports increased, while imports decreased for South Australia in April.The balance of goods and services for April was a surplus of $134 million (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $2.04 billion deficit in March.South Australian exports were in line with the national trend with a 3 per cent increase in exports for the month.

17/06/2010

Business indicator figures for the March quarter released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal mixed news. The data shows gross profits in Australia increased 3.9 per cent (seasonally adjusted), while wages and salaries increased by 1.7 per cent.Industry sectors with the largest increases in sales of goods and services included transport, postal and warehousing, while accommodaion and food services were amongst those with the largest decreases.South Australia experienced a 0.6 per cent decrease in sales of goods and services and a wage decrease of 1.7 per cent in the March quarter.

17/06/2010

Domestic overnight visitors to South Australia have been on a $3 billion spending spree, outperforming the national average, according to the latest National Visitor Survey (NVS) just released by Tourism Research Australia.Tourism Minister John Rau says in addition to the positive expenditure result, the latest NVS also shows South Australia outstripped the nation in interstate holiday travel growth."Total domestic overnight expenditure in South Australia for the 12 months ending March 2010 was $3 billion, up 13 per cent on the previous 12-month period, while nationally, domestic overnight expenditure recorded nil growth," Mr Rau says."The State Government's domestic tourism campaign, Isn't It About Time, is continuing to pay dividends."Launched in February last year, it sells South Australia as a tourism destination to our key markets; the results for the past 12 months show our approach is clearly resonating."The latest spearhead of the campaign in interstate markets is the Cellar Door television commercial, which was launched in February this year."The commercial reclaims South Australia's mantle as the home of Australian wine. It showcases the fact our State has more than 200 cellar doors less than an hour's drive from Adelaide, and is aimed at high-yield, wine-loving east coast Australians."Extensive research shows that this is one of the holiday experiences our target audience desires, and it's precisely what our State delivers so well."We will continue communicating the best South Australia has to offer to key markets via our future marketing activities, continuing the momentum to achieve the South Australian Tourism Plan 2009-2014 target of $6.3 billion in tourism expenditure by 2014," Mr Rau says.

15/06/2010

Changes from 1 July 2010From 1 July 2010, WorkCover have announced that there will no longer be a bonus/penalty scheme. From 1 July 2010, WorkCover have announced that the average levy rate has been reduced to 2.75%What does this mean for employers? All employers will now pay levies in accordance with their industry classification rate.There will be no incentive bonus of 30% for employers who have strived to ensure that their workplace is safe, to minimise injuries with resulting low workers compensation claims costs. Employers who have been in bonus and have received up to 30% discount will no longer be eligible to receive this from 1 July 2010. Accordingly for those employers the levy costs to WorkCover will increase.Can anything be done?It may be wise to have your levy rate reviewed to ensure that your business is paying the correct industry classification rate.Also there may be an opportunity for some relief in accordance with Section 67 of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986. This section of the act enables WorkCover to grant a remission if it is satisfied that an employer has:- Been able to reduce the incidence of injuries in the workplace- Minimised claims costs- Been proactive in the rehabilitation of disabled workers- Maintains employment or re employment of injured workersPlease also note that WorkCover can also impose a supplementary levy if it is not satisfied that an employer has not complied with the above. Business SA can assist with this and any other WorkCover issues including reviewing any existing claims and ensuring that you are compliant with the legislation.

11/06/2010

A drop in the unemployment rate in May shows South Australia's economy is continuing to show resilience, Employment, Training and Further Education Minister Jack Snelling says. The May headline unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 5.3 per cent, which is only 0.1 of a percentage point above the national rate of 5.2 per cent and the third lowest of all the states, the minister said. "Significantly, full-time employment in SA in May rose by 500 to reach 540,700, the eighth consecutive monthly rise," he said. The participation rate in trend terms dropped slightly by 0.1 to 63.1 per cent, but the figure indicated South Australians continued to have confidence in their ability to find a job, Mr Snelling said.

3/06/2010

Australians should feel confident after the latest growth figures showed another solid showing in the economy, Treasurer Wayne Swan says. The Australian economy grew by 0.5 per cent in the first three months of the year, a slower pace than in the previous quarter, Australian Bureau of Statistics reported today. Mr Swan said it was another sign Australia had weathered the global economic downturn. "Today's national accounts report a solid outcome for the Australian economy in the March quarter," he said. "Australians should take confidence from another good outcome for an economy that has defied recession," Mr Swan said, adding Australia continued to be one of the strongest economies in the developed world. "This is more evidence that we got in and did what was necessary during the global recession." The positive outcome for the quarter provided "tentative" signs that a self-sustaining private sector recovery was in prospect, although growth still relied on public infrastructure investment. "The Government's infrastructure investment is continuing to support demand, providing necessary targeted support to those parts of the economy where it is most needed," Mr Swan said. A rise in household consumption of 0.6 per cent in the quarter reflected Australia's strong employment outcomes and strengthening incomes growth.

3/06/2010

Australia's new workplace tribunal has lifted the federal minimum wage by a surprisingly large $26 a week. Fair Work Australia announced the change to the $544 minimum wage in Melbourne today, bringing it up to $570 a week. The large increase - which was $1 less than the Australian Council of Trade Unions claim - followed last year's decision to freeze the wages of 1.3 million low-paid workers. The decision was the first by Fair Work Australia's new minimum wage panel and will upset employers, who had wanted a much smaller increase. Fair Work Australia President Justice Geoffrey Giudice said there had been a significant decline in real wages since March 2008. "The forecast for 20010/11 is strong grounds to conclude that such an increase could be awarded without threatening business viability, employment growth or adding to inflation," he said.

19/04/2010

On 19 April 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced the following changes to the Business Skills Migration Program:increased minimum net business and personal assets required (visa subclasses 160, 161, 163, 164) increased business ownership share required (visa subclasses 132, 160, 163, 890, 892, 845, 846) removal of the senior manager option of the subclass 163 visa See: Changes to the Business Skills Migration Program ( 84KB PDF file)and http://www.immi.gov.au/legislation/amendments/2010/100419/lc19042010-01.htm

15/04/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal an increase in local export figures.International trade figures indicate local exports increased, while imports also increased for South Australia in February.The national deficit on goods and services for February was $1.92 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $1.12 billion deficit in January.South Australian exports went against the national trend with a 26 per cent increase in exports for the month.

15/04/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decrease in local retail trade and building approvals.Retail turnover in South Australia for February 2010 was 1.7 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had s 1.4 per cent decreas during the same month.Local building approval figures followed the national trend with a decrease in February 2010.Data revealed that South Australian building approval decreased by a seasonally adjusted 23.3 per cent in February. This was in line with the national trend which saw a decrease of 3.3 per cent.Approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased by 5.9 per cent, while national figures saw a 0.9 per cent decrease.

15/04/2010

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in March 2010 increased 0.6 percentage points from the previous month's figure to 5.4 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for March remained stable at 5.3 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate was stable at 65.1 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate remained at 63.2 per cent.

15/04/2010

Rising business confidence has stalled during the March 2010 quarter following continued increases in interest rates, according to the State's leading business membership organisation, Business SA.The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the March quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index decreased four per cent to 122.7 points.It is the first decrease in business confidence since the same time last year when confidence fell to record low levels.While it was highlighted that there are still concerns for business, the brake on confidence for the March quarter is being attributed to the continued increases in interest rates and the uncertainty associated with the State election.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the survey results indicated that many challenges still remain for the local business community."The decline in business confidence confirms that the economic recovery is still in its early stages and remains fragile," said Mr Vaughan."Businesses have been able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and we have seen confidence rising over the past three quarters. Premature rate rises however have slowed consumer spending and hurt small businesses across the State.""The positive sentiment towards general business conditions also came to a halt in the March quarter, remaining at 108 points."According to respondents, the decrease in confidence also appears to be associated with the impending State election."Elections always create an element of uncertainty throughout the business community, and this is one thing that businesses don't like to deal with.""Many businesses were looking to capitalise on South Australia's busy calendar of events in the first quarter of 2010, however interest rates appear to have dampened those expectations with sales revenue down in the March quarter."According to Joe Formichella, General Manager Corporate Financial Services, South Australia and Northern Territory, Commonwealth Bank, the dip in confidence suggests South Australian businesses are cautions about what the furtuer holds."Despite expectations last survey that we'd continue to see a lift in business sentiment over the March quarter, that hasn't been the case. The figures suggest that business owners are playing it safe due to expectations that interest rates will continue to rise over the next quarter as well as uncertainty around what the recent South Australian State election will mean for business owners.""That said, it's important to keep in mind that it's not all doom and gloom. According to the survey, business confidence is still hovering around 10-year hights, which suggests that the South Australian economy has a lot of momentum behind it, and will continue to perform well over the next year," mr Formichella said.Mr Vaughan said that with South Australia having the lowest unemployment in the country, total labour costs are expected to rise."The majority of businesses did not see a change in sourcing professional, skilled or unskilled labour during the March quarter, however more than 75 per cent of businesses expect total real labour costs to increase in the next quarter.""With record low unemployment in South Australia, just 25 per cent of respondents anticipate an increase in the unemployment rate in June quarter.""Indications are that material and overhead costs will remain stagnant."The majority of exporters indicated their export sales were the same as the previous quarter, and more than two thirds predicted much of the same in the next quarter."Again the ongoing uncertainty in international financial markets has divided businesses on their opinion of the value of the Australian dollar," Mr Vaughan said.Almost half of survey participants expect the Australian dollar to remain stagnant in the next quarter, while a large proportion of the remainder predicted it to increase.The March quarterr survey also asked businesses about their capital expenditure plans, working capital, cash flow and banking visibility.More than half stated that changes in lending criteria hs not affected their capital expenditure plans, while a quarter noted that it had provided some negative impact.Almost 70 per cent of businesses stated that changes in lending criteria have not affected their working capital.Half of the respondents stated that they sometimes had difficulties managing their businesses' cash flow because their customers were not paying their bills.More than half indicated that it was essential to have full visibility over their banking.

9/04/2010

Australias first Minister for Population, Tony Burke, says it is impossible to cap the nation's population growth. Less than a week into his job, and facing calls for big cuts in migration, Mr Burke has told The Age that Australia's population would continue to expand even if the Federal Government ended all migration. ''I'm not afraid of the fact the country is growing,'' Mr Burke said. ''The fact that we are growing is just something we have to accept.'' He made the comments as a poll from the Lowy Institute showed Australians have rebuffed the idea of having 36 million people by 2050, as projected by Treasury. The poll of 1000 people found strong support for the concept of population growth but 69 per cent did not like the Treasury projection, preferring a population of 30 million or less.

9/04/2010

South Australia saw a sharp jump in its unemployment rate in March, up to 5.4 per cent from 4.8 per cent, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows. Nationally the unemployment rate remained at 5.3 per cent in March as a growing number of people found full-time work in the month. Total employment grew by a seasonally-adjusted 19,600 in March with full-time employment rising by 30,600, offset by a near 11,000 drop in part-time workers. Economists' forecasts had centred on a 30,000 employment increase in March in a survey conducted by AAP, with unemployment rate remaining at February's level of 5.3 per cent after the unexpected fall to 5.2 per cent in January. Among the states and territories NSWs unemployment edged up to 5.5 per cent from 5.4 per cent while in Victoria it also rose to 5.4 per cent from 5.3 per cent. In Western Australia it was 5.1 per cent versus 5.0 per cent. In all other states and territories the jobless rate fell.

25/03/2010

Australias population passed 22 million last September, according to new figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). On September 30, 2009 the population stood at 22,066,000, which was an increase of 451,900 people from the some time in 2008. Sixty-six per cent of population growth was a result of immigration, with the rest attributable to births. Australias growth rate high is steady at just above two per cent.

11/03/2010

South Australia's jobless rate is still tracking well below the national average, despite a rise in February, Premier Mike Rann says. The latest figures put unemployment in SA at 4.7 per cent, up from 4.4 per cent in January. The national jobless rate was 5.3 per cent in February. Mr Rann said employment also reached a record high of 805,100 last month with 114,000 jobs created since his Labor government came to office in 2002. The premier, who goes to an election on March 20, said his Government had set a target of an extra 100,000 jobs over the next six years. "These new jobs will be driven by growth in key industries, such as mining, defence, renewable energy, tourism, education, food and wine and manufacturing," he said. Mr Rann said the participation rate in SA also remained steady in February at 63.2 per cent, indicating South Australians continued to have confidence in their ability to find a job.

4/03/2010

The economy grew at 0.9 per cent in the three months to the end of December, its fastest pace since the March quarter of 2007, quarterly national accounts released today showed. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showed gross domestic product (GDP) grew 2.7 per cent in the year to December, up smartly from the originally reported 0.6 per cent growth recorded in the 12 months to September. The quarterly increase was in line with economists' expectations, although the annual rate beat forecasts of 2.4 per cent growth due to revisions to previous quarters. The ABS said the main contributors to GDP growth in the quarter were business investment, government spending and household consumption. Imports were the biggest drag on growth. The big jump in the annual growth rate was the result of the large - and revised - 0.9 per cent contraction in GDP in the December quarter 2008 dropping out of the equation. The continued strengthening of the economy appeared to justify the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) decision to lift the cash rate by a further 25 basis points to 4.0 per cent at Tuesday's monthly board meeting.

18/02/2010

The State Government has announced it will invest $20 million over four years in a Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund to help create more diverse industries and promote further investment in existing businesses.The three Riverland Mayors, the Chair and the Chief Executive of the Riverland Futures Task Force presented their concept plan for a viable Riverland future at a meeting with Premier Mike Rann.Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald and Regional Development Minister Paul Caica say money will be invested in projects that improve infrastructure and support industry attraction.Minister Maywald says for much of the past decade the Riverland economy has been under stress with drought, record low inflows into the River Murray, climate change, low commodity prices and a strong Australian dollar affecting the productivity and profitability of irrigated agricultural production.She says irrigated agriculture will continue to be an important part of the Riverland economy. She says South Australia has won its battle with Victoria and New South Wales to secure another 40 GL of water for River Murray irrigators and this will allow allocations to be increased to 55 per cent."South Australia fought hard to secure this 40 GL, demanding an independent review of imbalances after suspecting that we'd been short changed under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement," Minister Maywald says."The State Government will always fight to get the best deal we can for our irrigators, however in the long term we have to recognise that factors of climate, river inflows and drought will continue to be beyond the control of anyone."So it is right to invest in creating a more diverse and sustainable economy for the communities of the Riverland."

18/02/2010

The latest employment figures show a record 111,300 new jobs have been created since the Rann Government came to office in 2002.TheState's headline unemployment rate is now 4.4 per cent - an equal record low since monthly unemployment figures began.It is nearly a full percentage point below the national unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent."This shows the South Australian economy is strong and continuing to grow," Mr Rann says."It confirms the State Government has been on the right track in providing the best environment and infrastructure necessary for business to grow and prosper."This is all about the hard work put in by South Australians. Low unemployment shows a confident, strong and buoyant business community that is out there competing and growing."The value of major developments in South Australia now stands at a record $71.5 billion, including the biggest public infrastructure program in history. "We are spending $11.4 billion building new roads, rail, a desalination plant, schools and hospitals to protect existing jobs and create new ones for the future."Mr Rann says the January figures show that the total number of people employed in South Australia in trend terms rose to a record high of 802,400 with 88 per cent of all jobs created in January being full time.

17/02/2010

A visionary document calling for sweeping change in South Australia was released yesterday by the State's leading business membership organisation Business SA, in the lead up to the 2010 State election.A Charter for a Prosperous South Australia recommends a series of economic and social reforms and was launched yesterday by Business SA Chief Executive Officer Peter Vaughan at a lunch attended by 600 business and community leaders.Developed in consultation with Business SA's members, the Charter outlines more than 80 recommendations for the State's economic sustainability over the next decade and beyond.Key recommendations in the Charter include:- Complete reform of payroll and land tax- Fully deregulate shop trading hours- Reform the Legislative Council- Introduce three metropolitan "super" Councils and restructure regional councils- Rationalise the Public Sector- Facilitate greater investment in water supply infrastructure that is independent of the River Murray- Introduce cost-reflective and consumption based water pricing- Pursue the development of a nuclear energy industry in South Australia- Increase research into methods to raise agricultural productivityBusiness SA Chief Executive Officer Peter Vaughan said the Charter targeted crucial issues that will ultimately drive the State's long-term economic prosperity."With the retention of triple A credite rating, strong investment in infrastructure and businesses taking action to avoid reducing staff levels, the State is in a strong position to come out of the economic downturn," Mr Vaughan said."The document is a call to action to ensure that the emerging strength of the local economy is built on over the next decade, to enable businesses of all sizes and across all sectors to thrive, in both domestic and global markets."Having a supportive and competitive business environment will provide the vibrancy to generate employment, economic growth and income for all South Australians."

11/02/2010

South Australia experienced the biggest drop in unemployment in January with the jobless rate tumbling to 4.4 per cent from 5.2 per cent the previous month. Nationally the rate fell from 5.5 per cent in December to 5.3 per cent. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) this means a larger than expected 52,700 jobs were created in January. Economists' national median forecast was for total employment to have risen by 15,000 in January and the unemployment rate to rise to 5.6 per cent. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official cash rate unchanged at 3.75 per cent last week, when most economists had anticipated a further rise. But the central bank did warn that further rate rises were likely in the coming months and the surprise fall in unemployment makes it more likely.

4/02/2010

An independent report shows business and government investment in South Australia is double that of the rest of the nation.The Access Economics - Arup Investment Monitor, December 2009, shows South Australia is second only to Western Australia in annual growth in projects under construction.According to the report, there has been an 88.9 per cent increase in projects under construction since December 2008, compared to a national average of 39.3 per cent. Western Australia experienced a 129.3 per cent increase.In comparison, NSW recorded a 10.8 per cent decline in investment, Victoria minus 5.1 per cent, Queensland minus 0.4 per cent and Tasmania minus 18.2 per cent.Treasurer Kevin Foley says this latest report again demonstrates the underlying strength of the South Australian economy. The recent Access Economics' Business Outlook December Quarter 2009 report said South Australia survived 2008-09 better than much of the rest of Australia and predicted solid growth this financial year, and acceleration in growth to 3.7 per cent in 2010-11. Further, the Australian Bureau of Statistics noted that in contrast to the fall nationally, South Australian private business investment grew 9.7 per cent in the quarter, helping to propel State Final Demand growth to the highest quarterly and annual rate of all the States.

3/02/2010

The Reserve Bank has decided to leave interest rates on hold - for now. The RBA left its key cash rate unchanged at 3.75 per cent after its monthly board meeting. RBA governor Glenn Stevens cited excessive hikes by major banks as one of the reasons for holding back. The market had been strongly tipping a quarter-percentage point rise - and the RBA's statement today suggests more rate rises in future.

1/02/2010

Treasurer Kevin Foley says the latest quarterly report by a respected independent economic think-tank forecasts strong economic growth for South Australia as the nation begins to emerge from the global financial crisis.The Access Economics' Business Outlook December Quarter 2009 report says South Australia survived 2008-09 better than much of the rest of Australia and predicts solid output growth this financial year, and acceleration in growth to 3.7 per cent in 2010-11.The report suggests strong population growth, including gains in the international students market, has formed the basis for healthy economic growth in 2009-10 and beyond.It predicts South Australia will one day be a world class minerals producer, but in the interim the State's economic fortunes will depend more on manufacturing than on mining.Mr Foley says the Access Economics' report highlights areas of concern that are shared by the State Government - particularly in motor vehicle manufacturing and in wine production, which has been hit by not only a wine glut but also a very strong Australian dollar."As two of our major export sectors, their difficulties during the financial crisis have had an impact on the State's economy," Mr Foley says.Despite those difficulties, the report forecasts a strong rebound in international exports - up by more than 21 per cent in 2010-11.The Access report's overall assessment of the State's economy is very positive: "... this is a state making a very good fist of those challenges."Overall business investment spending in South Australia has held up well in the past year, with relatively few businesses spooked at the prospect of spending on capex in South Australia. In part that is a recognition of the State's success in maintaining 'steady as she goes' growth...."The Treasurer says coupled with the recent Australian Bureau of Statistics September Quarter figures for State Final Demand the outlook for South Australia is very encouraging.

29/01/2010

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures showed that the national CPI increased 0.5 per cent from the September 2009 quarter to the December 2009 quarter, for an annual rate of 2.1 per cent.Adelaide CPI figures increased 0.3 per cent in the same quarter, for an annual rate of 2.0 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that while inflation increased, it was essentila to continue to stimulate economic activity."These figures show that consumer confidence is gaining momentum, however increasing demand must remain as a key priority," Mr Vaughan said."We've been hit with three consecutive interest rate rises and this should not serve as a trigger to prematurely increase interest rates again."Businesses are coming off a very tough year and we remain in the early stages of recovery."Implementing interest rate rises before business and consumer confidence has the chance to fully recover will have a major effect on the many small businesses across the State."Although the strong Australian dollar is having a negative impact on our exporters, it had a significant offsetting impact on audio, visual and computing equipment prices."According to the Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the December quarter, due for release next week, businesses remain concerned about interest rates and unemployment levels."

28/01/2010

Wine production decreased last financial year, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The figures also show exports up and domestic sales steady. In what should be good news for bargain hunters, winemakers are still holding more than half the beverage stock. The 08/09 crush produced 1.2 billion litres of wine, down 5.9% on last year's figure. Red/rosé wine production was 630 million litres (down 6.8%) and white wine accounted for 542 million litres (down 4.5%). Exports of Australian-produced wine rose 5.2% (to 752 million litres) and domestic sales went up slightly to 430 million litres. A third of all winemaking locations were in South Australia, accounting for 43% of the national wine grape crush. The 13 largest winemakers crushed a total of 1.3 million tonnes of grapes, or 73% of the total crush. Conversely, the 76 smallest winemakers accounted for only 0.4% of all grapes crushed and averaged 96 tonnes each. - Kevin Naughton

28/01/2010

South Australia recorded a $233 million budget deficit in 2008/09, some $32 million better than forecast, the State Government says.Treasurer Kevin Foley delivered the mid-year budget review this afternoon, two months after its usual announcement time in November.Mr Foley also used the media attention to announce changes to land tax in the state.He said the tax-free threshold for land tax would be increased from $110,000 to $300,000 from July this year.The change was expected to provide tax savings for about 75,000 South Australians, he said.

19/01/2010

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in December 2009 decreased 0.2 percentage points from the previous month's figure to 5.3 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for December decreased 0.1 percentage point to 5.5 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate remained at 65.2 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate decreased from 63.2 per cent to 62.9 per cent.

19/01/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal an increase in local retail trade and exports.Retail turnover in South Australia for November 2009 was 3.1 per cent higher (seasonlly adjusted) than the previous month's stagnant figure.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 1.4 per cent increase during the same month.International trade figures released indicate an increase in exports for South Australia in November.The national trade deficit on goods and services for November was at $1.7 billion (seasonally adjusted), a decrease of almost $380 million against a revised deficit in October.South Australian exports increased 1.4 per cent in November, while imports also went against the national trend increasing by 17.9 per cent.

19/01/2010

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia's total building and private housing approvals increased in November.Total building approval figures for South Australia increased by a seasonally adjusted 1.6 per cent in November and nationally the figures increased 5.9 per cent from the previous month.Approvals for private housing in South Australia also increased 2.6 per cent, while national figures decreased 1.9 per cent.

7/01/2010

South Australia has recorded the strongest growth in retail sales in November, up 3.1 per cent compared to the national rise of 1.4 per cent. It seems shoppers weren't afraid to open their wallets as retail outlets posted their largest rise in takings since the end of the Federal Government's cash stimulus payments in March.The growth was more than four times higher than the 0.3 per cent rise experts had tipped, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said, building the case for another interest rate rise as early as next month. SA's rise was followed by ACT at 2.7 per cent and Victoria at 2.1 per cent. Turnover in clothing and footwear rose 2.5 per cent in November, household good sales were 1.7 per cent higher and food retailing was up 1.6 per cent.

24/12/2009

The Migration for Business Growth program office will be closed from 3.00pm Thursday 24 December 2009 to Sunday 3 January 2010.We will be back in office on Monday 4 January 2010.Thank you for your support in 2009, and we look forward to a great 2010. We wish you a happy and safe festive season.Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Migration for Business Growth program

22/12/2009

International trade figures indicate local exports decreased, while imports increased for South Australia in October.South Australian exports followed the national trend with a 3.5 per cent decrease in exports for the month.The national deficit on goods and services for October was $2.38 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $1.85 billion deficit in September.

22/12/2009

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in November 2009 increased 0.2 per cent from the previous month's figure to 5.5 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for November decreased 0.1 per cent to 5.7 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate decreased 0.1 per cent to 65.2 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate remained at 63.2 per cent.

11/12/2009

Australia's unemployment rate has surprisingly fallen, adding to signs that the worst of the economic downturn has passed and raising the prospects of more interest rate rises. The country's jobless rate fell to 5.7 per cent last month, from 5.8 per cent in October, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said today. South Australia's rate, however, jumped 0.2 per cent in November to 5.5 per cent from 5.3 per cent in October. SA also recorded the highest youth unemployment rate in the country. Acting State Employment, Training and Further Education Minister Paul Caica says despite unemployment figures increasing, there are more South Australians in jobs than ever before, "The November figures show that the total number of people employed in SA in trend terms rose by 1000 to a record high of 794,000" he said in a statement today. Mr Caica also said the SA unemployment rate, despite rising, is still below the national average. The data released today supports the argument that - after increases of a quarter of a percentage point in October, November and December - there should be another in February, bringing the cash rate to 4 per cent.

11/12/2009

The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation have released their Wine Export Approval Report for year ending September 2009.In the year ended September 09, Australian wine export volumes increased by 8% to 758 million liters valued at A$2.4 billion.Australian exports continue their strong growth to China with an export value increase of A$50 million to a total of A$115 million, and the market moving up two places to now be ranked the fourth biggest market for Australian exports by both volume and value. Just five years ago China was not placed in Australia's top ten markets.

10/12/2009

A nationwide survey of the agribusiness sector has rated South Australia as the best performing State in Australia during the September quarter.The Westpac and Charles Sturt University Agribusiness Economic Performance Index surveyed 1,200 agribusinesses, looking at average results for business performance, employment and investment.Agriculture Minister, Paul Caica, says the despite the challenges being faced by the sectorin recent years, it had shown itself to be remarkably resilient, particularly in South Australia."The outstanding performance of agribusiness is a tribute to the resilience and adaptability of this important sector," Mr Caica says."It also reflects the hard work and commitment this Government has put in to assist this sector take advantage of the opportunities available in an increasingly competitive domestic and global market."South Australian agribusinesses and regions all reported positive economic performance and positive employment conditions, with the South East reporting its best result since the inception of the index."This includes both ‘upstream' businesses, such as agricultural producers and suppliers to agriculture, and ‘downstream' businesses, such as related transport, manufacturing, wholesale and retail."The report found that 81 percent of agribusinesses in South Australia felt confident about the performance of their business over the next 12 months, a significant improvement on the June quarter result of 66 percent," Mr Caica says."Most encouragingly, the report's authors indicate they expect that the economic performance of South Australian agribusiness will improve in the December quarter."Minister Caica says that the recent report of Adelaide Thinker in Resident, Andrew Fearne, highlighted the potential that exists for South Australia to position itself as the leading innovator in Australian food and wine.

9/12/2009

China has become Australia's biggest source of migrants, for the first time eclipsing New Zealand and Britain.The latest migration figures show a record 6350 new settlers arrived from mainland China in the four months to October, compared with the 5800 from Britain and the 4740 from New Zealand.The Chinese ascendanry owes more to a collapse in migration from the traditional sources than it does to the 15 per cent annual growth in migration from China. The number of migrants from the UK is down 28 per cent over the year and the number from New Zealand down 47 per cent.

19/11/2009

Pictured above: Award Winners, left to right, Ms Byunggyu Lee (The Face Shop), Miss Brandy Jiang (Teng Long Pty Ltd), Ms Yuyan Dai (Auspride Pty Ltd) and Mr Seong Kyun Ahn (F2 Computer Pty Ltd) Business SA and the local business community celebrated the efforts and achievements of business migrants as part of the Migration for Business Growth Moon Festival celebration at the Chifley Hotel recently. Migration for Business Growth and Business SA host a yearly business networking event around the Moon Festival and more than 150 guests attended this year's celebration, which for the first time also included the business migrant awards.The awards recognised the business and personal achievements of business migrants in South Australia with five awards for: export business; local business; innovative marketing, and significant contribution to the Chinese and Korean business migrant communities.Guests enjoy the hospitalityThe winners of the business migrant awards were:Effort Award - Local Business: Winner - The River Green Pty Ltd (The Face Shop)Ms Lee brought the Face Shop brand from Korea and has assisted the State Government's immigration and economic policies. Ms Lee also provides assistance to many new business migrants. Effort Award - Export Business: Winner - Teng Long International Teng Long International is involved in exporting South Australian wine to China, and also assisting Chinese wine distributors to promote and increase the share of South Australian wine in China. The company also helps Chinese customers to source wines and wine suppliers in South Australia.Marketing Award - for innovative and outstanding marketing: Winner - Auspride Auspride is involved in exporting and selling natural Australian products including wine, olive oil, seafood, wool-products, milk products and cosmetics.Significant Contribution to the Chinese Business Migrant Community: Winner - Michael Meng ZhaiMichael is a wine exporter and has been volunteering for the meet & greet service since 2008, providing active support to the business migration program and local business migrants.Significant Contribution to the Korean Business Migrant Community: Winner - Seong Kyun Ahn Seong is a member of the Korean community committee and provides assistance to the community with his spare time. He has organised Korean festivals and a broad range of events for the Korean community to promote the Korean culture to South Australia. Excellent networking opportunitiesBusiness SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan said that business migrants played a very important role in the State's economy. "Business migrants not only bring new business to our economy but they also have expertise and business links around the world that many of us can utilise," Mr Vaughan said."It is essential that we not only attract, but also retain these migrants here in South Australia and the services provided by the Migration for Business Growth program aim to do this."The business migrant awards provide worthy recognition to the outstanding businesses across the State and also communicate the success stories that will provide an example for other new businesses to follow."The number of award nominees in each category was high and the inaugural awards ceremony was sold out. The success of this event reinforces the enthusiasm and energy of our growing business migrant community." Business SA's Migration for Business Growth is supported by the State Government and the program connects business migrants with the South Australian business sector through initiatives that include business matching, networking, and cross-cultural business issues. Pictured above: Award Winners, left to right, Ms Byunggyu Lee (The Face Shop), Miss Brandy Jiang (Teng Long Pty Ltd), Ms Yuyan Dai (Auspride Pty Ltd) and Mr Seong Kyun Ahn (F2 Computer Pty Ltd) Business SA and the local business community celebrated the efforts and achievements of business migrants as part of the Migration for Business Growth Moon Festival celebration at the Chifley Hotel recently. Migration for Business Growth and Business SA host a yearly business networking event around the Moon Festival and more than 150 guests attended this year's celebration, which for the first time also included the business migrant awards.The awards recognised the business and personal achievements of business migrants in South Australia with five awards for: export business; local business; innovative marketing, and significant contribution to the Chinese and Korean business migrant communities.Guests enjoy the hospitalityThe winners of the business migrant awards were:Effort Award - Local Business: Winner - The River Green Pty Ltd (The Face Shop)Ms Lee brought the Face Shop brand from Korea and has assisted the State Government's immigration and economic policies. Ms Lee also provides assistance to many new business migrants. Effort Award - Export Business: Winner - Teng Long International Teng Long International is involved in exporting South Australian wine to China, and also assisting Chinese wine distributors to promote and increase the share of South Australian wine in China. The company also helps Chinese customers to source wines and wine suppliers in South Australia.Marketing Award - for innovative and outstanding marketing: Winner - Auspride Auspride is involved in exporting and selling natural Australian products including wine, olive oil, seafood, wool-products, milk products and cosmetics.Significant Contribution to the Chinese Business Migrant Community: Winner - Michael Meng ZhaiMichael is a wine exporter and has been volunteering for the meet & greet service since 2008, providing active support to the business migration program and local business migrants.Significant Contribution to the Korean Business Migrant Community: Winner - Seong Kyun Ahn Seong is a member of the Korean community committee and provides assistance to the community with his spare time. He has organised Korean festivals and a broad range of events for the Korean community to promote the Korean culture to South Australia. Excellent networking opportunitiesBusiness SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan said that business migrants played a very important role in the State's economy. "Business migrants not only bring new business to our economy but they also have expertise and business links around the world that many of us can utilise," Mr Vaughan said."It is essential that we not only attract, but also retain these migrants here in South Australia and the services provided by the Migration for Business Growth program aim to do this."The business migrant awards provide worthy recognition to the outstanding businesses across the State and also communicate the success stories that will provide an example for other new businesses to follow."The number of award nominees in each category was high and the inaugural awards ceremony was sold out. The success of this event reinforces the enthusiasm and energy of our growing business migrant community." Business SA's Migration for Business Growth is supported by the State Government and the program connects business migrants with the South Australian business sector through initiatives that include business matching, networking, and cross-cultural business issues.

19/11/2009

Business confidence has revealed signs of continued recovery during the September 20098 quarter following low interest rates and expected increase in sales revenue, according to the State's leading business organisation, Business SA.The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the September quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index increased 24 per cent to 120.8 points.This is the second consecutive significant increase in confidence, following the record low levels in the March quarter.While there are still concerns for business, the recovery in confidence for the September quarter is being attributed to the optimistic outlook in what remains a challenging climate.

19/11/2009

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal unchanged local export figures.International trade figures indicate local exports remained unchanged, while imports increased for South Australia in September.South Australian exports went against the national trend which had a 5 per cent rise in exports for the month.The national deficit on goods and services for September was $1.84 billion (seasonlly adjusted), from a revised $1.65 billion deficit in August.

19/11/2009

The State's leading business organisation, Business SA, responded to the decidsion by the Reserve Bank Board of Australia to increase official interest rates to 3.5 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the consecutive rate rises have been implemented far too soon,"The economy is still fragile and these consecutive rate rises are doing no favours to the many businesses that remain under pressure," Mr Vaughan said."The banks certainly need no encouragement to raise interest rates and this latest rise will put a major dent in the business and consumer confidence that ws beginning to emerge."It has been a very challenging year and the last thing we need hearding towards Christmas is for consumer sentiment to fall away and businesses to suffer.""Interest rate rises hit everyone across the board and this will have an impact on the confidence of the many small businesses across the State""The economy must be given time to get back on track and it is disappointing that these rate rises have been implemented at the first signs of recovery from a major global financial crisis."There is the expectation that unemployment figures will continue to rise which confirms there are issues still being faced by business."We certainly acknowledge the importance of keeping inflation under control, however the Reserve Bank should wait for definite signs of recovery in economic condistions before acting prematurely.""The Federal Government's mid-year economic and fiscal outlook 2009-10 released yesterday confirms that there is still a long way to go for economic recovery."

19/11/2009

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decline in local retail trade and building approvals.Retail turnover in South Australia for September 2009 was 0.6 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 0.2 per cent decrease during the same month.Local building approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased by 2.7 per cent, while national figures saw a 0.3 per cent increase.

19/11/2009

A guide to South Australia's enviable research & development capability is now available online.The Research Capability Directory was launched in August and provides a comprehensive navigation tool to the cutting edge research & development work going on in South Australia.It also highlights the r&d connections between the public and private sectors.From wine to water, automotive to ICT, the Research Capability Directory allows the user to search a broad range of industries and activities.The RCD has grown out of the South Australian government's firm belief that r&d drives economic growth, international competitiveness, and community wellbeing.R&D is also vital if the State is to maintain its leadership role in the clean tech and renewable energy sectors. The sustainability of key South Australian industries such as health, agriculture, environment, defence and manufacturing is underpinned by r&d.The South Australian Research Capability Directory is an initiative of the Science and Information Economy Directorate of the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.

19/11/2009

Economic and cultural ties between South Australia and China will be further strengthened with the visit of a senior Chinese delegation this month.The 22 mayors and six senior officials are attending the 2009 Chinese Mayors' Management Training Program at the University of Adelaide's Institute for International Trade, between 9 and 22 November.Minister for Industry and Trade Kevin Foley says the University has been operating this program for three years, which has seen some of China's most respected government officials spend time in South Australia.He says the two week leadership course will provide an insight into Australian state and local government functions and help build relations between the participants and private sector investors."These mayors are well placed to forge valuable business and investment links between South Australia and China," Mr Foley says.The program's educational component will include Australia's political system, economy and culture; urban planning and design; industry development; management of major infrastructure projects; water security and waste management; and housing and aged care.In 2006, the Institute completed its first program for 21 Chinese officials, involving an Australian study tour on subjects such as international trade, infrastructure and urban development. The Institute's Executive Director Andrew Stoler says the success of the first program led to a commitment to stage the program until 2010 and potentially until 2013."Some of these mayors will likely be future national leaders in China. The importance of building close business and investment relations with South Australia cannot be overstated," Mr Stoler says.In recent months the South Australian Government has added another level of support to the ongoing relationship with China by appointing the former Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Alfred Huang, as Special Envoy to China. Mr Huang will also be meeting with the mayors during their visit.

19/11/2009

The State Government has reassured the Riverland region that it will continue to play a major role in the supply of food and wine, despite the announcement by National Foods to phase out production at its Berri site. Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister, Paul Caica, says the establishment of the Riverland Futures Task Force last year and its development of a Prospectus for the region is a good indication of the future."We are expecting a wide range of business opportunities to be identified and progressed via the Prospectus," Mr Caica says.The scope of the project is going out for tender shortly, with the Prospectus due for completion and release in Spring next year.The objectives of the Riverland Futures Task Force are: the attraction of new sustainable industries the diversification of existing industry bringing together primary industries sectors looking at new opportunities strengthening of local enterprises and the enhancement of business structures and local value added opportunities.In June this year, the State Government announced $400,000 funding for the Riverland Prospectus Project and a further $75,000 was contributed from Task Force member organisations, bringing the total project funding to $475,000.Minister Caica says the State Government is also developing new food and wine plans, which will be completed over coming months."These significant plans will identify where industry and government can come together to grow our food and wine sectors, with the Riverland being an important region in realising this growth," he says."We have some extremely resilient industries in the Riverland that are dealing with water shortages and market pressures. "The Citrus Board recently announced that this year's citrus crop is the largest since 2000. This is an excellent result given the production conditions," he says."Other sectors such as almonds are also performing very well."The world is increasingly under pressure to feed its population and food security will continue to be an important role for Australia and South Australia", Mr Caica says.

19/11/2009

The State Government says the latest employment figures show a record number of South Australians in jobs.Employment Minister Michael O'Brien says 102,200 new jobs have been created since the Rann Government came to office in 2002."The total number of people employed in South Australia in trend terms in October rose by 400 to a record high of 793,300," Mr O'Brien says."South Australia's annual rate of employment growth has now exceeded the national average for nine consecutive months."The headline unemployment rate in the State dropped by 0.4 percentage points to 5.3%, to fall well below the national rate of 5.8%."This compares to New South Wales (6.1%), Queensland (6.0%), Victoria (5.7%), Tasmania (5.4%) and Western Australia (5%)."The October figures show that our economy is continuing to show resilience in the face of the global economic crisis," Mr O'Brien says."However, we still need to approach the future with a level of cautious optimism, as we've seen in the recent announcements of jobs losses at Bridgestone and National Foods in the Riverland."The participation rate in trend terms remained steady at 63.2% indicating that South Australians continue to remain confident in their ability to secure a job."However, the youth unemployment rate increased to 26.7% compared to the national average of 22.8%, taking the number of 15-19 year olds who are unemployed and looking for full time work in South Australia to 4,000."State and Federal government spending initiatives, as well as the measures we announced in this year's State Budget, are about ensuring we protect existing jobs and create new ones as the economy recovers.

3/11/2009

Laura Jia 将于09年11月4日至11月13日期间代表南澳工商总会在中国哈尔滨、沈阳和大连做南澳葡萄酒考察推广活动。于周一11月16日回办公室工作。Laura will be in China for the Business SA Wine Mission to Harbin, Shenyang and Dalian between 4 - 13 November 09 and will be back in office on Monday 16 November 09. 出差期间，一切工作照常，有任何事情请发邮件到 lauraj@business-sa.com。In my absence, you can contact me via email lauraj@business-sa.com , we will answer your inquiry as usual.

16/09/2009

Applications for 2009 Business Migrant Awards are now open!So nominate yourself, your business, or another business migrant for one of these prestigious awards: 1. Effort Award - Export Business 2. Effort Award - Local Business 3. Marketing Award - for innovative and outstanding marketing activity 4. Award for significant contribution to the business migrant community To apply, please use the attached Awards Application Form and return to us by COB Friday 9 October 2009.For more information, please contact 8300 0013.The awards will be presented at the 2009 Moon Festival and Business Migrant Awards Luncheon:11.45 - 2pm, Friday 23 October, 2009Grand Chifley Hotel, 208 South Terrace, Adelaide$30pp business migrant / $50pp other (2 course and beverages)

16/09/2009

我将于09年9月17日至9月30日期间同Immigration SA 在中国大连，上海，杭州和北京做商业移民推广活动。于周二10月6日回办公室工作。I will be in China for a Business Migration Roadshow (Dalian, Beijing, Shanghai & Hangzhou) with Immigration SA from 17 September 09 to 30 September 09, and will be back in office on Tuesday 6 October 09. 在我出差期间，一切工作照常，有任何事情打电话给我的带班职员Chen Chen (8300 0013 )或发邮件到 lauraj@business-sa.com。In my absence, you can contact my relief officer Ms Chen Chen or email lauraj@business-sa.com , we will answer your inquiry as usual.

10/09/2009

Consumers' confidence has soared to its highest level since July 2007, relieved that the economy has avoided recession and that the jobless rate will not be as bad as previously expected. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index, released today, surged by a further 5.2 per cent in September, and has now increased 34.4 per cent during the past four months. It is the largest four monthly gain in the 35-year history of the survey. "This a truly extraordinary result," Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said. "The standout story is the 'relief rally' for consumers - relief that the economy has avoided recession and that expected job losses have not materialised."

4/09/2009

Homeowners can probably rest easy for another month after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the cash rate unchanged for a fifth straight month after its monthly board meeting. The central bank left the cash rate at a 49-year low of 3.0 per cent, as widely expected by economists. In a statement, RBA governor Glenn Stevens said the "accommodative setting" of monetary policy was appropriate for the time being. "The board will continue to adjust monetary policy so as to foster sustainable growth in economic activity and inflation consistent with the target," Mr Stevens said. The rate decision comes the day before official data is expected to show the economy grew modestly in the June quarter, but building on the slim 0.4 per cent growth record in the three months to March. Still, some home buyers have already suffered an increase in their standard variable mortgage rate this year. In June, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the country's biggest home lender, independently raised its lending rates by 10 basis points, blaming high funding costs.

27/08/2009

Acting Premier Kevin Foley has announced the appointment of a former Lord Mayor of Adelaide to the part-time positions of Special Envoy to identify further business opportunities between South Australia and China.The former Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Alfred Huang, has long standing ties to the southern region of China and is well placed to advance the State's trade and investment links with that booming region. Mr Huang will seek out Chinese companies wanting to expand in Oceania or who want to establish a base in the region, as well as Chinese entities seeking to invest in Australian companies.Mr Foley says Mr Huang will also identify new export opportunities for South Australian producers and manufacturers in the Chinese market and provide support to the South Australian Government's trade and investment missions into the Chinese market.

24/08/2009

South Australias lowest paid workers have been given a wage rise by the State Industrial Relations Commission today.In todays wage setting decision the commission opted to raise the minimum wage by 2.56 per cent, taking it to $560.65 a week for full time hours.Formerly the minimum wage was $546.65.SA Unions secretary Janet Giles said the rise was welcome.Its a reasonable and responsible decision and we think its quite a good amount, she said.Ms Giles said the commission had been fair when balancing the needs of low-paid workers and fears a wage rise would lead to higher unemployment.The commission has made a clear point that they took into account submissions from employers, saying the economy was in trouble and from our experts who said the economy could cope with a wage rise, she said.

11/08/2009

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonlly adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in July 2009 increased 0.2 per cent from the previous month to 5.6 per cent.Statistics show the national unemployment rate for July remained at 5.8 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate was stagnant at 65.3 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate decreased by 0.1 per cent to 63.2 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said the local economy was feeling the pressure in a challenging environment."Local unemployment figures increased to 5.6 per cent, however South Australia's unemployment rate remains below the national average." Mr Vaughan said."South Australia now has the lowest rate compared with other mainland States, which confirms the ongoing resilience of the local economy.""To maintain this status it is essential that there is no undue pressure placed on businesses, and this is why Business SA is currently advocating for a wage freeze in the State wage case.""The rise in unemployment shows that businesses remain under enormous pressure and this is set to continue in the months ahead.""This week's economic data has revealed a decline in local retail and export figures, and the strain on businesses to maintain staff levels certainly remains.""The Government's stimulus package is waning and it is essential that all banks follow the decision of the Reserve Bank to leave interest rates on hold.""Results from the Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations show that more than 80 per cent of businesses were expecting unemployment to increase in the September quarter."

11/08/2009

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decrease in local exports.International trade figures indicate a decrease in exports, while imports remained virturally unchanged for South Australia in June.South Australian exports went against the national trend and decreased by 19 per cent for the month.The national deficit on goods and services for June was $441 million (seasonlly adjusted), from a revised $737 million deficit in May.

11/08/2009

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a decline in local retail trade.Retail turnover in South Australia for June 2009 was 1.5 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 1.4 per cent decrease during the same month.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said the figures indicated that there are still many challenges remaining."South Australia's retail sector has been performing well and this month's decline is in line with the national trend," said Mr Vaughan."The data confirms however that there is still an enormous amount of pressure being felt in the current climate.""Stimulus payments have dried up following solid retail performance in the previous months.""There is the expectation that unemployment will continue to rise and this is providing a concern to business.""Many challenges remian in place and banks should not be increasing their interest rates against the position of the Reserve Bank"

10/08/2009

The SA jobless rate has risen by 0.2 per cent despite national rates staying steady.South Australia joins Queensland and WA as the only regions whose unemployment rate rose in July.SA's level rose to 5.6 per cent, up from 5.4 per cent, while unemployment in Queensland rose to 5.8 per cent from 5.5 per cent and in Western Australia unemployment surged to 5.7 per cent from 5.2 per cent.Our level is slightly below the national, which remains steady at 5.8 per cent, official data shows.The Rudd Government still expects unemployment to peak at 8.5 per cent by 2011.NSW, Victoria and Tasmania all experienced a drop in unemployment, with Tasmania boasting the lowest rate in the country, at 4.1 per cent.

4/08/2009

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal a rise in local retail trade, while building approvals suffered a hit, according to the State's leading business organisation, Business SA.Retail tureover in South Australia for May 2009 was 1.8 per cent higher (seasonlly adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which has a 1.0 per cent increase during the same month.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said the figures indicated that the local retail sector was remaining strong,Building approvals figures were not as positive, wiht South Australia following the national trend with a decrease in May 2009.Data revealed that South Australian building approvals decreased by a seasonally adjusted 17.5 per cent in May. The decrease was in line wiht the national trend which saw a decrease of 12.5 per cent.Approvals for private housing in South Australia decreased by 15.5 per cent, while national figures saw a 2.0 per cent decrease.

4/08/2009

Business confidence has shown signs of recovery during the June quarter following cuts in interest rates and stimulus efforts, according to the State's leading business organisation, Business SA.The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the June quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index increased 18.1 points (23 per cent) to 97.6 points.Following consecutive quarters of falling confidence, this increase pushes confidence back from the lowest levels recorded in March since the survey was introduced in 2001.While there are still concerns for business, the recovery in confidence for the June quarter is being attributed to the optimistic outlook in a challenging climate.According to respondents, the increase in confidence appears to be associated wiht the increase in sales revenue and the expectation of more to come.

4/08/2009

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in June 2009 remained at 5.4 per cent,Statistics show the national unemployment rate increased to 5.8 per cent from May's rate of 5.7 per cent.Nationwide the participation rate decreased 0.1 per cent to 65.3 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate decreased by 0.2 per cent to 63.4 per cent.

4/08/2009

Internationla trade figure released today indicate an increase in exports, while imports remained virtually unchanges for South Australia in May.South Australian exports went against the national trend and increased by 9 per cent for the month.The national deficit on goods and services for May was $556 million (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $282 million deficit in April.

14/07/2009

Business confidence has shown signs of recovery during the June quarter following cuts in interest rates and stimulus efforts.The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the June quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index increased 18.1 points (23 per cent) to 97.6 points.Following consecutive quarters of falling confidence, this increase pushes confidence back from the lowest levels recorded in March since the survey was introduced in 2001.While there are still concerns for business, the recovery in confidence for the June quarter is being attributed to the optimistic outlook in a challenging climate. Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that survey results indicated that many businesses are cautiously optimistic about the immediate future."Business confidence has certainly taken a hit in previous months, however the resilience and strength of the local economy has left many businesses feeling positive about tackling the challenges that lay ahead," said Mr Vaughan."Interest rate cuts and stimulus packages have had their desired effect on the economy, however the challenges highlighted in the survey cannot be underestimated."Despite low confidence levels, economic data has reflected the strong performance of the local economy and this has been reflected in the survey confidence levels."General business conditions in the June quarter also recovered from the previous quarter's record low, increasing 11 per cent to 92.8 points and exceeding the expectations from the March survey."According to respondents, the increase in confidence appears to be associated with the increase in sales revenue and the expectation of more to come."The roll-out of stimulus payments no doubt contributed to the increase of the sales revenue index in this survey, increasing by 11 per cent and exceeding March predictions."More than 40 per cent of businesses expect an increase in total sales revenue in the September quarter."Nearly half of respondents expect interest rates to remain stagnant in the September quarter, and we strongly believe there is room for further cuts to ensure confidence remains on track."Joe Formichella, General Manager Corporate Financial Services, South Australia and Northern Territory, Commonwealth bank, said that the uplift in confidence in South Australia is a promising sign of a brighter road ahead."The latest survey results points to a recovery, albeit minor at this stage, for South Australia. Businesses are still facing challenges with cash flow, rising costs and unemployment, however, it is likely that we should continue to see an uplift in confidence as the broader global economy begins to slowly improve in the coming months.

13/07/2009

Dear Members, The Regional Development Board contact details have been updated as following:Adelaide Hills 08-8391 1374 http://www.adelaidehills.com.au/Barossa 08-8563 3603 http://www.bld.org.au/Eyre 08-8682 6588 http://www.erdb.org.au/Fleurieu 08-8552 1557 http://www.frd.org.au/Kangaroo Island 08-8553 3211 http://www.kangarooisland.org/Limestone Coast 08-8723 1057 http://www.lcrdb.com.au/ Mid North 08-8842 3115 http://www.mnrdb.com.au/Murraylands 08-8535 7170 http://www.murraylands.org.au/Northern 08-8641 1444 http://www.nrdb.com.au/Port Pirie 08-8632 5633 http://www.sfrdb.com.au/Riverland 08-8582 2155 http://www.riverland.net.au/Southern Flinders Ranges 08-8632 5633 http://www.lcrdb.com/Whyalla 08-8645 7811 http://www.wedb.com.au/Yorke 08-8821 1099 http://www.yorkeregion.com.au/

10/07/2009

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has opted to leave the cash rate unchanged for a third straight month, but is keeping the door open for a cut later this year.As widely anticipated by economists, the central bank left the cash rate at a 49-year low of 3.0 per cent after its monthly board meeting today."The board's current view is that the outlook for inflation allows some scope for further easing of monetary policy, if needed," RBA governor Glenn Stevens said in a statement."In assessing how it might use that scope, the board will continue to monitor how economic and financial conditions unfold and how they impinge on prospects for a sustainable recovery in economic activity."The RBA cut the cash rate by a hefty 425 basis points between September 2008 and April in a pre-emptive strike to cushion the economy from the impact of the worst global recession in 75 years.Data since the last board meeting suggests households are becoming more comfortable about the outlook, aided by low interest rates and cash handouts from the Government.But businesses conditions remain depressed in a difficult global environment.Cost cutting is expected to keep upward pressure on the jobless rate, which the Federal Government is forecasting to touch 8.25 per cent by the middle of next year.Labour force data for June are released on Thursday.Economists' forecasts centre on the unemployment rate rising to a six-year high of 5.9 per cent after 5.7 per cent in May.

9/07/2009

The three tiers of Australian goverment have reached agreement on a new regional consultative body, Regional Development Australia (RDA).The Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Maxine McKew, SA Minister for Regional Development Paul Caica, and the Local Government Association of SA's Felicity-Ann Lewis announced the agreement in Adelaide. "RDA SA will work across all three tiers of government to help ensure regional projects remain responsive to local communities' needs," says Ms McKew after signing a Memorandum of Understanding."For the Australian Government this is about getting the best local advice in a co-ordinated way."As a government we are listening to regional communities, as evidenced by last week's $220 million expansion of the Community Infrastructure Program, which includes immediate funding of another $7.3 million direct to local councils in South Australia."The Australian Government has already made the greatest commitment in our history to community infrastructure. That commitment is now worth more than $1 billion."Minister Caica says the South Australian Government believes RDA SA will put in place an agenda of renewal and opportunity for the State's regions."Focussing the collective efforts of all spheres of government will help us to better align our priorities for the development of our regional communities and it will strengthen the effectiveness of those efforts," he says. "The most important task of the new RDAs will be to work with all levels of government on the best way to build jobs and investment in their communities and meet the objectives of South Australia's Strategic Plan," Mr Caica says.LGA SA President Felicity-ann Lewis says: "We recognise that local communities want their elected leaders to work together to deliver results."We believe Regional Development Australia will significantly improve co-operation across all levels of government by better aligning our efforts and resources to deliver programs and services to local communities." Seven regional RDAs and an RDA Adelaide advisory committee are being created to align with South Australia's Government Regions. They will carry on the work of the previous area consultative committees and regional development boards.Ms McKew says she is confident that RDA SA will build on the success of the committees and boards and become a stronger voice for regional development.A call for expressions of interest for RDA SA members, including chairs and deputy chairs, will be advertised in metropolitan and regional newspapers shortly. "We want to fill the new RDAs with local community leaders who can strongly represent grass-roots views and who bring with them a renewed commitment to the social and economic development of their regions," says Minister Caica.

9/07/2009

The Engineering Employers Association South Australia (EEASA) has merged with the Australian Industry Group to become the Ai Group South Australia branch. Ai Group Chief Executive Heather Ridout says the two organisations have been working together for almost 70 years and the decision to merge received overwhelming support. "Members across both organisations will benefit from the merger through a wider representational reach, a broader depth of services and industries covered by the new body, and the opportunities for existing members to build on national networks and infrastructure. "We've always been on the same side and now we're on the same team. As a national organisation, many Ai Group members are already operating in South Australia and they will join together with former EEASA members to create an even stronger local organisation," Mrs Ridout says. Former EEASA Director Stephen Myatt becomes Director Ai Group South Australia. He says that Ai Group is committed to delivering its national business expertise and comprehensive industry knowledge locally in South Australia. "EEASA has been strongly committed to the interests of the metal and engineering manufacturing industries in our State and this will continue under the new Ai Group banner. Ai Group has a strong membership base in these areas as well as others including construction, defence, ICT, call centres, labour hire, transport, utilities and infrastructure. "New Ai Group South Australia members will be able to access more professional advice and information on issues affecting business today including workplace relations, climate change and the push towards a national Occupational Health and Safety system," Mr Myatt says. SAGE Group Holdings Ltd Managing Director, Andrew Downs, is the New Ai Group SA President. "With offices nationally I see great opportunities to leverage local industry knowledge and I think this will definitely help local business understand the market better. The merger is a positive move for all business, not just EEASA's traditional areas of metal and engineering manufacturing, but right across the business spectrum," Mr Downs says.

9/07/2009

The State Government has released its 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, a framework for the economic and population growth of the city.The Plan has been welcomed by the Deputy Chairman of the Economic Development Board, Kevin Osborn, who applauded its comprehensive vision and attention to detail. Mr Osborn said the Plan provided a blueprint for the Government to deliver on the objectives of the State Strategic Plan. "Greater Adelaide has been the beneficiary of Colonel William Light's vision and the 30-Year Plan will keep Adelaide as one of the most liveable environs in the world. "The Premier has stated that the recently undertaken planning review will give South Australia the most efficient planning system in Australia and will help make the State the most competitive place in Australasia to do business and invest," Mr Osborn said. Mr Osborn said the 30-Year Plan aligned closely with the EDB's Economic Statement and State Infrastructure Plan to guide growth into the future. "The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide acknowledges the many challenges that face South Australia - water security, an ageing population, climate change and housing affordability," Mr Osborn said. "The Plan provides a precise and well thought out framework within which these challenges can be faced and overcome."The EDB's Economic Statement says now is the time to invest in South Australia's infrastructure and workforce skills to build up this State's productive capacity," Mr Osborn said. The Statement indicates South Australia is better placed than other states to emerge strongly from the global economic slowdown.

8/07/2009

6/07/2009

A 9 per cent increase in South Australian exports during May is positive news for the local economy, says Business SA. The state defied a national trend which saw total Australian exports fall 5.0 per cent, seasonally adjusted, outpacing the fall in imports, which were down 4.0 per cent in the month. The national deficit on goods and services for May was $556 million (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $282 million deficit in April. "Local exports recovered in May, following a decrease in the previous month," Business SA chief executive officer Peter Vaughan said. "South Australia continues to stand up and demonstrate the strength of the local economy in these key economic figures." The state's largest export partner was China, while Singapore was the leader in local imports.

6/07/2009

The North Terrace upgrade is one of three "beautification" projects set to benefit from a $3.27 million funds injection from the State Government. Urban Development Minister Paul Holloway announced today that $2.06 million would be given to the Adelaide City Council to help extend the terrace facelift east, focussing on the Prince Henry Gardens in front of Government House. Further grants will go towards improvements of the Adelaide Zoo grounds, and landscaping 1.8ha behind the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

6/07/2009

A Victorian inventor has won a state innovation award for his "handheld laboratory". Scientist Micah Atkins' handheld medical diagnostic system has the potential to save millions of lives, says INNOVIC, which presented him with the International Next Big Thing Award today. The first use for the handheld lab will be testing for tuberculosis in third-world countries that cannot afford specialised, expensive equipment and scientists. The palm-sized device uses microchips and the science of microfluidics, and can test for other diseases, contaminants and biological weapons. INNOVIC chief executive Joss Evans said Dr Atkins' invention was "a very clever innovation and meets a real community need".

6/07/2009

The central bank is expected to leave interest rates on hold for a third straight month in July as more signs emerge that the economy is faring better than most amid the global recession. All of the 19 economists surveyed by AAP this week expected the Reserve Bank of Australia to leave the cash rate at a 49-year low of 3 per cent at Tuesday's RBA board meeting. AMP Capital Investors senior economist Robert Cunneen said recent economic data and indicators of improved consumer and business confidence pointed to growth picking up in the second half of 2009. "There's no real impulse for the central bank to change at this point in time," Mr Cunneen said. The last change to the cash rate was in April, when the RBA delivered a 25 basis point cut. Retail turnover rose 7.4 per cent between September last year and May compared with a paltry 0.4 per cent increase in the preceding eight months, as government cash handouts and low interest rates boosted disposable income.

11/06/2009

A slight fall in South Australia's unemployment rate in May demonstrates continuing confidence in the state's labour market, says Employment Minister Michael O'Brien. The jobless rate in SA fell from 5.5 per cent in April to 5.4 per cent last month, compared to the national rate of 5.7 per cent. Mr O'Brien said the figures also showed a record 795,600 South Australians now had jobs. "SA's annual average employment growth in trend terms has now exceeded the national rate for the last four months," Mr O'Brien said. "SA was the only state to record an increase in the number of people looking for work and the only mainland state to record a drop in its headline unemployment rate. "This demonstrates continuing confidence in our labour market." Despite the overall fall in jobless numbers, the level of youth unemployment in South Australia jumped 7.7 percentage points in May to 24.9 per cent. Queensland saw the biggest unemployment jump, rising to 5.3 per cent in May from 4.9 per cent in April. NSW had the highest rate in the country, rising to 6.4 per cent from 6.1 per cent, while in Western Australia it increased to 4.9 per cent from 4.6 per cent. The jobless rate in Victoria was 5.9 per cent in May compared to 5.7 per cent the previous month, while it was up to 3.3 per cent in the ACT versus 3.1 per cent previously. However, the Tasmanian unemployment rate fell to 5.7 per cent from 6.1 per cent. The rate was unchanged in the Northern Territory at 3.9 per cent. "The global recession is hitting the Australian economy and Australian jobs," Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said today. "We're not immune. "As a result of the global recession these are tough times for working people right around the globe. "Here in Australia, the government has acted decisively to support Australian jobs." The federal government has initiated two fiscal stimulus packages, which included cash hand outs, since October last year. "For Australians hit by the global recession and unemployment, we will be standing with them," Ms Gillard said. "We want to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. "We are strongly positioned compared to other countries - we've acted here to cushion Australia from the full effects." Australia's unemployment rate rose to a seasonally adjusted 5.7 per cent in May, from an upwardly revised 5.5 per cent in April, figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed. The fall in the number employed in May included a 26,200 drop in full-time workers and an 24,500 increase in part-time workers. Total employment fell by 1,700 to 10.793 million in May, seasonally adjusted. The outcome compared to the median expectation in financial markets for total employment to decline by 30,000 in May, and an unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent. "This increase is in line with market expectations," Ms Gillard said. "We've always said we were not immune from the global recession."

10/06/2009

Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal steady local retail trade, while business indicators signal declining growth, according to the State's leading business organisation, Business SA.Retail turnover in South Australia fro April 2009 was 0.1 per cent lower (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 0.3 per cent increase during the same month.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said the local retail sector was remaining strong and would hopefully receive a boost in coming months."While local retail figures were stagnant in April, we look forward to the interest rate cuts and stimulus packages having their desired effect on the econo,y," said Mr Vaughan."The current economic climate is continuing to impact on business and consumer confidence, however we are remaining resilient in a challenging environment."Business Indicator figures for the March quarter released today showed gross profits in Australia decreased 7.2 per cent (seasonally adjusted), while wages and salaries decreased by 0.4 per cent.Almost all sectors saw a decrease in sales of goods and services, including mining and construction which have led the growth in previous quarters.South Australia experienced a 1.9 per cent decrease in sales of goods and services and a wage decrease of 2.1 per cent in the March quarter.

10/06/2009

The annual Business SA Export Awards is South Australia's premier awards program devoted exclusively to recognising exporting excellence in this State.All South Australian export businesses can apply across 12 categories, ranging from agribusiness and minerals and energy, through to education, manufacturing, information and communication technology and more.Winners of the State awards automatically qualify as finalist in the 2009 Australian Export Awards hosted by Austrade and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Previous South Australian winners who have won national awards include Adventure Tours Australia - 2008 Sports, Events and Toursim Award, Flight Training Adelaide - 2007 Education Award, Imgaination Entertainment - 2007 Arts, Entertainment and Design Award, and Rising Sun Pictures - 2006 Arts, Entertainment and Design Award.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said the awards acknowledge the contribution to the State and national economy made by exporters and provide public recognition of outstanding business performance."The 2009 Business SA Export Awards celebrate exporting excellence in South Australia by paying tribute to some of the most impressive and dynamic business in this State," Mr Vaughan said."Applicants have the chance to increase their company's profile and showcase their organisation's exporting success."To apply for the 2009 Business SA Export Awards fill out an application form online at www.exportawards.com.au/sa. For further information contact Business SA's International Business unit on 08-8300 0083.Applications must be lodged by close of business Wednesday 12 August 2009.

9/06/2009

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia's total building and private housing approvals increased in April.Total building approval figures for South Australia increased by a seasonally adjusted 5.1 per cent in April, in line with the national increase of 5.1 per cent from the previous month.Approvals for private housing in South Australia increased 5.1 per cent, whilst national figures increased 7.2 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said a number of factors contributes to the increase in approvals."Building confidence is heavily dependant on interest rates and the rate reductions earlier in the year have had a positive impact on approvals", said Mr Vaughan."The assistance to first home buyers has provided a boost to the building sector and the extension of the grant will increase private sector housing approvals.""The strong population growth also contributed to the demand for housing both state and nation wide.""South Australia is performing well in the current climate, and it is pleasing that the increase in local building approvals followed the national growth for the month."

2/06/2009

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has left its key cash rate unchanged after today's board meeting, as widely expected by economists. The central bank left the cash rate at a 49-year low of 3.0 per cent, a level it has been at since April when the RBA cut the rate by 25 basis points. In total the RBA has slashed the rate by 425 basis points since last September. Still, RBA governor Glenn Stevens has left open the door for a further interest rate cut down the track. "The prospect of inflation declining over the medium term suggests that scope remains for some further easing of monetary policy, if needed," Mr Stevens said in a statement. "In assessing how it might use that scope, the board will continue to monitor how economic and financial conditions unfold, and how they impinge on prospects for a sustainable recovery in economic activity." Business SA Chief executive officer Peter Vaughan said there was still a need to lift business and consumer sentiment, and a further cut in interest rates would have been justified. He said he would like to see further rate cuts in the coming months to kick-start confidence. "The previous reduction in rates failed to have its maximum effect as the banks failed in their obligation to pass on the intended relief," he said. "Employment growth is slowing and figures to be released tomorrow are likely to indicate that Australia is officially in a recession. "Increasing consumer demand should be a key priority, particularly with the global economic conditions remaining a threat to business confidence and investment." Mr Stevens said there was evidence that the global economy was stabilising after a sharp contraction, while prospects were being helped by better conditions in global financial markets, and confidence was improving. However, the Australian economy had been contracting with capacity utilisation expected to decline further during the rest of the year. "With demand for labour weakening, growth in labour costs is beginning to fall," Mr Stevens said. "These conditions are likely to see inflation continue to abate over the next two years." Monetary policy had eased significantly - although much of the effect had yet to be observed - while fiscal measures were also providing considerable support for demand. Economists said a rate cut today was looking even less likely after data suggested the economy may avoid a second consecutive quarter of negative growth when the March quarter national accounts are released tomorrow. Exports were much stronger than expected in the March quarter and will contribute 2.2 percentage points to growth. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

18/05/2009

The March 2009 BizExchange Index results suggest that the fall in the value of private businesses may have bottomed. The key findings of the latest index were:Dramatic drop in the number of listings - down about 33%.The trickle of new listings dominated by sales advertised by receivers/administrators.Refusal by business owners to sell at anything lower than current prices has effectively put a floor in private business prices for the time being.The number of businesses listed for sale with a turnover of greater than $5 million has decreased dramatically in the last two quarters.Commenting on the results, David Bird, Chairman of BizExchange said prices simply are now more realistic and reflect expectation of future profit performance. He noted that there had been a slight improvement in market sentiment with more people predicting pricing to continue at current levels. However net sentiment was still predominantly negative with more people predicting prices will fall than those predicting prices will rise. From March 2007 to September 2008 business values in many sectors almost halved due to an increased supply of new listings combined with worsening business conditions.The last 6 months have seen a reduction in the number of listings and relatively stable values. It now appears that there may be a floor in business values which will prevent them falling much further. Going forward Mr Bird said that business values were unlikely to increase dramatically because the volume of businesses for sale is expected to increase as the number of baby boomers entering retirement increases.

18/05/2009

The Export Market Development Grant scheme has been given a $50 million boost in the Federal Budget following concerns that up to 2000 businesses would not get full payments.The additional $50 million will be given to help fund the EMDG scheme for 2008-09, along with the previously promised $50 million for the 2009-10 year.About 1800 businesses that applied for grants of over $40,000 were told they would only receive about 30% to 50% of the payments. The Government says the extra funding means those businesses will now receive 100% of their costs returned, with payments to begin next month.The EMDG grant assists small and medium exporters by reimbursing them for promotional costs.

18/05/2009

The Federal Budget contained a number of initiatives that will help small business. The most significant was the expansion of the Small Business and General Business Tax Break so that small businesses can claim a bonus 50 per cent tax deduction for eligible assets costing more than $1,000 acquired from 13 December 2008 until 31 December 2009, and installed ready for use by 31 December 2010.This is up from 30 per cent announced earlier this year and extends the period of eligibility by six months. To benefit from this Tax Break a small business must have a turnover of less than $2.0 million a year. The expanded Tax Break will be available to small businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million.Small businesses only need to invest a minimum of $1,000 per asset in order to qualify for the Tax Break. They can also amalgamate their expenditure on batches and sets of assets in order to meet this threshold.There is an opportunity to claim bundled assets under the concession. For example, buying tables, chairs and a sofa for a conference room, which cost more than $1000 in total, could be claimed."

7/05/2009

The Gateway to Asia Exporters Expo on April 30th was a huge success!Over 34 companies showcased their products including wine, olive oil, fresh vegetables, herbs, honey, skin care products, paint, and wine technology . Approximately 200 business migrants attended the expo and were able to taste samples of the product. Forty Mandarin and Korean interpreters were on hand to help with communication and many valuable contacts were made. If you attended the expo your feedback would be welcome to info@businessmigration-sa.com. If we get good feedback we will hold another expo for business migrants later in the year.

7/05/2009

Laura Jia, Program Manager - Migration for Business Growth, will be in China from 11 - 28 May, 2009. Amelie Jin will provide assistance to migrants during Laura's absence on 8300 0013.

6/05/2009

House prices in Australia's capital cities have fallen for the fourth straight quarter, suggesting activity in the housing sector may not be as strong as anecdotal evidence implies, economists say. The house price index fell by 2.2 per cent in the March quarter, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) published today. This compared with a downwardly revised 1.2 per cent fall in the December quarter. However, while falls of up to 3.6 per cent were recorded in some cities, in Adelaide house prices were down just 0.8 per cent. Economists had forecast house prices to remain flat in the March quarter and to have declined by 3.9 per cent in the 12 months to March. In the year to March, the house price index fell 6.7 per cent. Recent private sector surveys had suggested a build-up in activity at the lower end of the housing market following a boost to government grants to first home buyers. But Nomura Australia chief economist Stephen Roberts said even if this was the case, it appeared to have little impact on average house prices. "I just wonder whether the low end of the market is quite as active as we have been led to believe," he said. "There may be some activity, but it may not be putting any upward pressure on prices. "In fact, the risk is prices are still declining even in that part of the market." In October last year, the Federal Government doubled the first home buyers grant to $14,000 for those buying an existing home and tripled it to $21,000 for those constructing their own home or buying a new home. The temporary boost is due to expire on June 30. The ABS survey measured house prices in Australia's eight capital cities. It found house prices fell by the most in Perth (down 3.6 per cent), Sydney (down 2.9 per cent) and Melbourne (down 2.3 per cent) in the March quarter. House prices in Brisbane and Adelaide fell 1.1 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively. Darwin had a stronger result, with house prices up 2.2 per cent. Hobart and Canberra recorded rises of less than one per cent.

6/05/2009

Australia's resources boom is far from over, but there is scant hope it will get a boost from the looming federal budget, a South Australian expert says. South Australian Minerals and Petroleum Expert Group (SAMPEG) chairman Ian Gould says the budget should use infrastructure spending to stimulate the mining and resources industry. "The sector knows there is a tough federal budget coming up, and we do not have confidence that it will necessarily stimulate the resources sector," Dr Gould told a conference in Adelaide today. "Yet incremental federal spending on mining-related infrastructure can provide a considerable boost to developers in getting major job-producing mining projects off the ground. "Any budget stimulus in this direction will get more bang for its buck than many other stimulus packages." It was wrong to believe the resources boom was over, he said. "Nothing is further from the truth - the country's resources sector is not in a bell curve scenario," Dr Gould said. "Demand and prices are still relatively strong across most metals commodities, although production costs constitute a challenge. "The minerals industry economically is the way forward in the future. "It hasn't failed and is not in a bell curve trajectory. "The proof of that is that it accounts for at least 50 per cent of Australia's merchandise exports, and that is not a picture that should cause despair."

6/05/2009

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has left the cash rate unchanged despite further signs of deterioration in the economy, which could see the unemployment rate hit 6 per cent this week. Economists and financial markets had widely tipped the cash rate being left at a 49-year low of 3.0 per cent following today's monthly RBA board meeting in Sydney. In April the central bank cut the rate by 25 basis points, bringing total reductions since September to 425 basis points. Still, financial markets are pricing in at least another 50 basis points worth of reductions this year. "Monetary policy has been eased significantly," RBA governor Glenn Stevens said in a statement. Mortgage rates were at very low levels by historical standards and business loan rates were below average, reducing debt-servicing burdens considerably. Those changes had yet to have an impact on the economy but, together with substantial fiscal initiatives, it would provide significant support to domestic demand during the period ahead. "In assessing whether further reductions in the cash rate are required over the period ahead, the board will monitor how economic and financial conditions unfold and how they impinge on prospects for a sustainable recovery in economic activity," Mr Stevens said. The RBA will release its quarterly monetary policy statement on Friday, which is expected to show downard revisions to its growth forecasts.

6/05/2009

Consumers spent a record $19.3 billion in March, as the Federal Government started rolling out billions of dollars in a second round of cash handouts. Retail trade jumped by a seasonally adjusted 2.2 per cent over the month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said today. Economists had expected a 0.5 per cent increase. During the three months to March, retail spending grew 1.0 per cent after an 0.6 per cent rise in the previous quarter.

14/04/2009

The Australian Government welcomes foreign investment and will assess each application on a case-by-case basis, the Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson says. "The Australian Government encourages foreign investment and welcomes proposals when they are in our national interest," Mr Ferguson said at the Melbourne Mining Club on Thursday. Mr Ferguson said the Oz Minerals and Fortescue Metals decisions indicated that the Government would assess cases on individual merit. The Federal Government approved Chinese steel maker Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group's plan to lift its stake in Fortescue to 17.55 per cent. On the other hand, the Government threatened to block Minmetals's attempt to takeover OZ Minerals because of security issues surrounding the inclusion of the Prominent Hill mine in South Australia which lies in the Woomera Prohibited Area weapons testing range. Minmetals and Oz Minerals have put forward a revised bid. Rio Tinto is awaiting Australian regulatory approval for a plan by Aluminium Corp of China (Chinalco) to invest $US19.5 billion ($A27.67 billion) in the company.

14/04/2009

The jobless rate has soared to its highest level since December 2003, and is destined to go far higher as the global recession takes it toll on the economy. New data released today showed the jobless rate jumped to 5.7 per in March from 5.2 per cent in February - 1.8 percentage points higher than the 34-year low of 3.9 per cent recorded in February last year. Some economists say that such a move does suggest the Australian economy is already in a recession. Thursday's result shows the jobless rate was growing faster than the Government had predicted just a few months ago. It had forecast an unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent by June and 7 per cent by mid-2007. Revised forecasts will be announced in the May 12 budget. Worst hit in this rapid rise in unemployment was NSW where the rate jumped to 6.9 per cent from 5.9 per cent the previous month. Nationwide, the number of people employed dropped by a seasonally adjusted 34,700 in March. There was a 38,900 slump in full-time workers, while there was a small rise in part-time workers. Economists had expected total employment to fall by 25,000 in March and a jobless rate of 5.4 per cent.

7/04/2009

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.0 per cent, the lowest level in 49 years. The reduction, if passed on in full by retail banks to their customers, would reduce the monthly repayment on an average $300,000 standard variable mortgage by $45. The RBA has now cut the cash rate by 425 basis points since September as it tries to cushion the economy from the worst global recession since World War II. Economists had been split as to whether the central bank would leave the cash rate unchanged for a second month in a row, or cut it by up to 50 basis points given the spate of generally weak economic data. RBA governor Glenn Stevens said market and mortgage rates are at very low levels by historical standards and business loan rates are below recent averages, reducing debt-servicing burdens considerably. "Nonetheless, the board judged that there was scope for a further modest adjustment to the cash rate," Mr Stevens said in a statement. "The stance of monetary policy, together with the substantial fiscal initiatives, will provide significant support to domestic demand over the period ahead."

7/04/2009

The Federal Government's cash bonus payments of up to $900 will start rolling out to millions of taxpayers from next week, the Australian Taxation Office says. The High Court today rejected a legal challenge to the constitutional validity of the bonus payment legislation, part of the Government's fiscal stimulus package. Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo said those who had already lodged their 2007-08 tax return and met eligibility criteria need do nothing more to receive the payment. "We will be progressively sending payments to the address or bank account people nominated as their preference in their 2007-08 tax return unless they updated those details since then," he said in a statement. Eligible people who received their 2007-08 assessment notice before March 27 could expect to be paid between next week and May 16. Those who received their assessment notice after March 27 can expect their bonus payment around four weeks after they received their notice. Mr D'Ascenzo urged people to be patient. "We are working closely with Australia Post and the Reserve Bank to distribute around 7.4 million payments over the next six weeks," he said. "Due to the large number of payments we ask that people don't call us about the progress of individual payments while we are still distributing them." Mr D'Ascenzo said it was not too late for those who had yet to submit their tax return, although that still needed to be done by June 30, unless an extension had been granted.

3/04/2009

A dramatic fall in retail sales shows another interest rate cut is needed to stimulate the economy, retailers says. Retail sales fell for the first time in five months, down two per cent in February to a seasonally adjusted $18.87 billion. The last time retail sales fell on a month-to-month basis was in September 2008. Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) chief executive Margy Osmond said the fall showed businesses were in for a "bumpy ride" in 2009. Ms Osmond called on the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates by 0.5 percentage points at its meeting this month to stimulate consumer confidence. "The spurt in consumer spending in December and January, fuelled by lower interest rates and government bonus payments, has slowed," she said. "Australians are still not feeling confident about spending and another interest rate cut next week is clearly needed. "We would urge the RBA to consider another 0.5 per cent cut to interest rates when it meets next week." Ms Osmond backed the Rudd government's second stimulus package, a $42 billion spend including cash payments of up to $950. The first $10.4 billion stimulus package, released just before Christmas, boosted retail sales by $1.3 billion in December and January, she said. "Judging by the effects of the first stimulus package, we believe the second package may inject about $2.4 billion into the retail sector over the next four months," Ms Osmond said.

2/04/2009

Consumers and businesses continue to shun credit despite savage interest rate reductions by the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the central bank says it is ready to cut again. New RBA data shows zero growth in total credit in February. Credit growth in the year to February slipped to just 5.4 per cent, compared with a brisk 15.5 per cent 12 months earlier. Growth in personal credit - excluding home loans - fell 0.8 per cent in February and shrank at an annual rate of 6.0 per cent. Business loans declined 0.6 per cent to an annual growth rate of 5.5 per cent. However, housing credit for owner-occupiers grew 1.0 per cent, the fastest pace since December 2007, for an annual rate of 8.6 per cent. Earlier, RBA deputy governor Ric Battellino told a conference in Brisbane that while the central bank's cuts totalling 400 basis points are helping to shield the economy, the easing is unlikely to prevent a recession. "The monetary policy transmission process has been effective and there remains scope to ease policy further if circumstances require," Mr Battellino told the Urban Development Institute of Australia National Congress 2009. Financial markets are pricing in a 25-basis-point cut in the official cash rate to 3.0 per cent when the central bank board meets on April 7. Mr Battellino said spending measures undertaken by the Federal Government are offering some protection for the economy. "These measures will go a long way to offsetting the negative influences on the economy coming from abroad, but the reality is that we cannot fully insulate ourselves from what is happening elsewhere in the world," he said. "As such, GDP is likely to fall in 2009. Gross domestic product shrank 0.5 per cent in the December quarter, the first contraction in the economy in eight years. The March quarter national accounts data will be released on June 3. By convention, a recession is measured by two consecutive quarters of shrinkage in GDP.

2/04/2009

Lack of irrigation water, high temperatures and Victoria's bushfires are expected to contribute to a 13 per cent drop in Australian wine grape production, the nation's commodity forecaster says. But there's hope a 1.6 million tonne shortfall in 2008-2009 could be offset by increased production next year. The shortage is unlikely to impact on wine grape prices because stocks were likely to outstrip sales growth, impacted by the economic slowdown, the Australian Bureau of Agriculture Resource Economics said. Growers, especially those in south-eastern Australia, faced shortages of water for irrigation throughout the growing season. They were also hit by a heatwave in late January and early February which further reduced yields, ABARE acting executive director Terry Sheales said. The Victorian bushfires also reduced yields in many areas, with grapes either smoke damaged or completely destroyed. If water availability for irrigation improves next year, production would increase by 1.8 million tonnes, ABARE predicts. The tough economic climate and strong competition in export markets overseas meant the increasing stocks-to-sales ratio is expected to maintain downward pressure on wine grape prices in the next few years, Dr Sheales said.

2/04/2009

The Federal Government's stimulus package and a reduction in interest rates has given the housing market a modest boost, a new report shows. The national survey of housing prices by RP Data-Rismark shows property values were up 1.1 per cent in the first two months of 2009, recovering from falls of three per cent in 2008. The RP Data-Rismark national property value indices are determined using an automated system, which values every property in Australia each week based on sales nearby. In Sydney, property prices were up 0.5 per cent for the three months to February, Melbourne prices lifted 1.9 per cent and Darwin prices were up 6.1 per cent. Prices fell in other capital cities, with Brisbane value down 2.2 per cent, Adelaide prices dropping 1.3 per cent, Perth falling one per cent and Canberra down 1.8 per cent. RP Data senior research analyst Cameron Kusher said the government's stimulus package, which doubled the first home owner's grant from $7000 to $14,000 for pre-existing homes, pushed more buyers into the market. "The first homebuyers grant has been a very successful initiative and you can see that by how many first home buyers are out there getting finance commitments," Mr Kusher told AAP. A sharp reduction in interest rates had also pushed the market up, Mr Kusher said. "People that even five or six months ago probably weren't even able to dream about owning a property ... they're realising that it's a pretty good time to go out there and buy," he said. The most expensive houses were in Sydney, with a median price of $559,360 while the least expensive were in Adelaide at a median price of $407,020.

30/03/2009

This Business Seminar will cover the latest ‘Buyer Sponsorship Program' provided by HKTDC, updates on the Hong Kong/China's economic condition and the Hong Kong - Australia Business Association, SA Chapter's 2009 Delegation Plan. It will provide the ideal opportunity for Importers, Wholesales, Retailers and other businesses, who are interested in sourcing from Hong Kong and China, to discover why Hong Kong is the pre-eminent International Business City of China and the Trade Fair Capital of Asia and learn how to source products from Hong Kong, China and beyond.For more information on this seminar, please see the attachment or contact Mr Patrick Ho on 8352 3899

23/03/2009

Prospective first home owners can register their interest for 300 new land allotments in Adelaide's north which have been brought forward by the State Government.Housing Minister Jennifer Rankine has announced that the first of the new housing allotments at Munno Para West and Smithfield Plains would go on sale on Sunday, April 19.A print, radio, television and billboard campaign has started to encourage prospective buyers to register their interest at http://www.playfordalive.com.au/playfordalive/ and be first in line to take advantage of this opportunity. Registered parties will receive release information about blocks and prices before the general public, and will also be invited to the release event."The Rann Government has developed these blocks ahead of schedule to enable more home buyers in the northern suburbs to take advantage of low home loan interest rates," Ms Rankine says."Our decision to fast-track the land will also enable more South Australians to take advantage of the Australian Government's First Home Owners Boost Grant so I'm thrilled that we have moved so quickly."These blocks also signal a massive step in this Playford Alive development, they form the first major release in the $1 billion program that will deliver 4,500 homes over 15 years."Ms Rankine says the new land, priced from $115,000, will incorporate a variety of sizes and types of allotments to suit a range of purchasers.This follows 18 months of planning work by the Land Management Corporation (LMC) and Department of Families and Communities and civil work by contractors. "Civil works, including new roads, footpaths and landscaping, are now well underway at several locations and soon builders will be working on individual sites, building new homes for families," Ms Rankine says."Site works have also been completed to enable the construction of a new Birth to Year 12 School and we are starting on the first of a number of public parks and water features."The Playford Alive project is a partnership between the South Australian Government (Land Management Corporation and the Department for Families and Communities), the City of Playford and the Playford community.It is one of the most significant urban renewal projects in Australia, and involves the redevelopment of Smithfield Plains and Davoren Park (known as ‘the Peachey Belt') as well as the release of undeveloped land at Munno Para, Munno Para West, Andrews Farm and Penfield.The project is creating a new diverse, integrated and sustainable community, and will transform Adelaide's outer northern suburbs into an even better place for people to live, work and play. More than 4,500 new houses will be built.Inquiries in relation to the land allotments going on sale from April 19 can also be directed to Greg Nybo at Century 21, on 8258 8444.

23/03/2009

A new Economic Statement released says South Australia is better placed than other States to emerge from the global downturn in a stronger economic position.It says when recovery comes South Australia will likely out-perform the national economy, with strong growth in defence and mining, together with major opportunities in other sectors.The Statement is the work of the Economic Development Board (EDB), which has been the Rann Government's key economic adviser since 2002, on the best ways to sustain growth in the State's economy.Read the News Statement by Bruce Carter Chairman of the Economic Development Board.Read the Economic Statement Executive Summary (1mb)Read the Economic Statement (4mb)

23/03/2009

New data shows consumers are more keen to pay off debt on their credit card than rack it up, coinciding with a rush of data showing the economy is doing it tough. Reserve Bank of Australia data shows just over $18 billion was repaid on credit cards in January, while just $16.622 billion was spent. Credit card spending was down 21 per cent from the previous month. Other data released today showed new vehicle sales fell by a further seasonally adjusted 3.5 per cent in February, while imports dropped 4 per cent in original terms to $16.6 billion in the same month. This included a 13 per cent decline in foreign consumption goods. At the same time, building commencements of houses and other residential properties in the December quarter fell by a seasonally adjusted 9.9 per cent to 32,637 units, contributing to a 19.5 per cent fall in the past year. RBA assistant governor of economics Malcolm Edey says Australia is being affected by the "very severe" global economic crisis and sharp downturn in global demand and activity. "In this environment, it's not going to be possible for Australia to avoid some further weakness in 2009," Dr Edey told a business breakfast in Sydney. Business conditions have also fallen to their lowest level since the recession of the early 1990s, despite business confidence stabilising, albeit at an 18-year low. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Westpac survey of industrial trends for the March quarter showed steep declines in new orders, output, employment and overtime. The ACCI-Westpac composite index fell to 34.0 in the March quarter from 40.4 in the previous three months. A level below 50 signals a contraction in activity. ACCI director of industry policy and economics Greg Evans said the report showed the effect of a slowing economy starting to take its toll "very heavily" on Australian business. However, he said, one positive aspect of the report was that business expectations had stabilised, albeit at one of its lowest levels. "That may be in part due to the impact of the Government's fiscal stimulus package, and also continuing easing on behalf of the Reserve Bank," Mr Evans told reporters in Canberra on Thursday. "Given the evident economic weakness, not only in this survey, but more generally in other surveys and in official data, we believe that a strong case exists for the Reserve Bank to loosen monetary policy by at least another 50 basis points at its meeting in early April."

17/03/2009

The Foreign Investment Review Board has delayed making a decision on Chinalco's $19.5 billion stake in mining giant Rio Tinto for 90 days. The decision comes against a heated debate over a growing number of investments in Australian resource companies by Chinese entities. State-owned Chinalco wants 18 per cent of Rio Tinto but needs FIRB approval. The $US19.5 billion ($A29.77 billion) investment by Chinalco will give it stakes in a number of Rio Tinto's assets, and increase its interest in the dual-listed miner from 9 per cent to 18 per cent. The transaction, which has been backed by the Rio Tinto board, will also allow Chinalco to appoint two new non-executive board members to the global miners' board. Rio Tinto will use the capital injection from Chinalco to help tackle the $US38 billion ($A58.02 billion) mountain of debt it incurred buying Canadian aluminium producer Alcan Inc in 2007.

17/03/2009

The Federal Government has given some ground on unions' right of entry provisions in its proposed industrial relations laws now before the Senate. The Government, which hopes to get its Fair Work bill through parliament by the end of this week, released its own amendments today. But debate on the bill will not begin until tomorrow, allowing Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard more time to negotiate with independent senator Nick Xenophon and Family First's Steve Fielding. Employers, the coalition and the independents have expressed concern over wider union right-of-entry provisions and, in particular, the ability of union officials to inspect employees' wage records. The Government is now proposing that a union official holding a permit to inspect documents relating to an alleged award breach can do so provided it does not contravene the privacy act or related laws. They also give the new industrial body, Fair Work Australia, the power to determine the eligibility of a union seeking to cover workers in a greenfields agreement covering a new enterprise or business. This will allay employer fears that the proposed new laws would open up union turf wars over coverage of employees at new work sites. Debate on the bill could mean parliament may have to sit on Friday. The coalition plans to make half a dozen amendments to the Fair Work bill but if Ms Gillard can reach agreement with the Greens and the two independents, coalition support will not be necessary. The Government's proposed amendments are mostly technical in nature but include recognition of clothing outworkers in enterprise agreements and modernised awards. They also deal with the appointment of senior Australian Industrial Relations Commission members to the new body Fair Work Australia.

13/03/2009

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in February 09 was 5.8 per cent, 02 per cent highter than the previous month's figures.More than 47,800 South Australians are out of work today.The national unemployment rate increased to 5.2 per cent from January's rate of 4.8 per cent.

10/03/2009

The February Wine Knowledge and Appreciation course run by GreatStone Wines was a great success. The session was booked out and Business Migrants learnt about wine varieties, how to tast wine, wine serving and storage, wine with food and different wine regions. Attendees also got to tast a number of different wines during the session. We will be running another Wine Knowledge and Appreciation course in April for those who missed out and we will be in touch soon with more details.You can access the Power Point presentation at http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/events/archived

10/03/2009

Our recent Speed Dating session was attended by 16 Business Migrants who 'dated' with 12 companies. All participants were very happy with the session and the Hong Kong Australia Business Council already has companies booked in for the next speed dating event. So watch this space to find out about your next speed business dating opportunity!

10/03/2009

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia bucked the trend for total building approvals which nationla figures showed a decline in January.Total building approval figures for South Australia have increased by a seasonally adjusted 6.1 per cent in January, in contrast to the national decrease of 3.7 per cent from the previous month.Approvals for private housing in South Australia increased 14.5 per cent, whilst national figures increased 1.1 per cent.Intrernational trade figures released indicated a decrease in exports and imports for South Australia in Januray.South Australian imports decreased 12 per cent in January, whilst exports also decreased by 34 per cent, both in lin with the national trend.The national surplus on goods and services for January was $970 million (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $417 million surplus in December.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said the figures indicate that trade is decreasing as the global economy feels the pressure of the financial crisis."The weakening Australian dollar contributed to an increase in the trade surplus.""South Australian exports to the US, a key export partner, dropped significantly in January, while an increase in demand saw a rise in export activity to China."More than 60 per cent of participants in the Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the December quarter expected export sales to be stagnant in the March quarter.

10/03/2009

Business Indicator figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, for the December 08 quarter shows gross profits in Australia decreased 6.5 percent (seasonally adjusted), while wages and salaries increased by 0.2 per cent.While Retail was the only sector to experience an increase in sales of goods and services, Mining, which led growth in the previous quarter, experienced the largest decrease.South Australia experienced a 1.9 per cent decrease in sales of goods and services and a wage increase of 4.1 per cent in the December quarter.

10/03/2009

Retail trade figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show a slight increase in trade for local retailers in January.Retail turnover in South Australia for January 09 was 0.1 per cent higher (seasonally adjusted) than the previous month's figures.This compares to the national retail turnover which had a 0.2 per cent increase during the same month.

10/03/2009

South Australia has entered a revolutionary new era in planning approvals with the introduction of a Residential Development Code.Minister for Urban Development and Planning Paul Holloway says the Residential Development Code at the heart of the State Government's reforms make planning approvals in this State simpler, faster and cheaper."The Residential Development Code ensures that many homebuyers and renovators will save both time and money when lodging a planning approval with their local council," Mr Holloway says."The revolutionary planning reforms being rolled out by this government are expected to improve home affordability by delivering real savings to homeowners."Mr Holloway says the Residential Development Code has been developed after an extensive consultation period beginning in June 2008, which involved members of the public, industry and local government.With the first stage of the new Code effective as of March 1, South Australians can expect reduced waiting times for planning and building approvals, Mr Holloway says."As long as applications meet certain requirements waiting times have been slashed to 25 days for many carports, larger sheds and shade sails, verandahs and swimming pools and to 35 days for alterations and additions to existing homes," he saysMr Holloway says the changes are part of the government's Planning Reform package aimed at ensuring South Australia has the most competitive planning and development system in Australasia."At the same time we will also ensure that it enhances the outstanding lifestyle of our people and the sustainability of our state," he says. Mr Holloway says as part of the changes there has been an expansion of the categories for complying development, essentially providing a ‘tick-the-box' assessment against criteria known as ‘Performance Controls'. These performance controls include criteria such as location, height, setback and site coverage. "There will be a twin track for the introduction of the code with complying development applying first for alterations and additions to existing homes and then for new homes," Mr Holloway says."For new homes, the Code will initially apply only in areas nominated by local councils, and only for detached and semi-detached dwellings.""For these new homes covered by the code there will be maximum waiting time of 35 days for approvals."Local councils have until March 31 to nominate areas to be covered by the new Code.The Code won't apply to local heritage places, state heritage places, state heritage areas, historic conservation zones and policy areas and high-risk bushfire protection areas.It also won't apply to development that is subject to a referral, such as to the Country Fire Service.Mr Holloway says further planning reforms are to be rolled out throughout this year and 2010 to ensure that South Australia retains its reputation as one of the most competitive states in Australia."By dramatically reducing waiting times for planning and building approvals, South Australia is removing disincentives to investment, and putting dollars back into people's pockets," he says."As a result of these revolutionary changes as many as 50% of all residential development applications received in this State are to be processed faster, saving South Australians time, money and worry."In these uncertain economic times, it is essential that government do whatever it can to make laws as simple and effective as possible."A more efficient planning approvals system should translate into substantial savings in time and money, which will in turn ensure a boost to the State's economy.Mr Holloway says a special process is now underway through which councils are being asked to nominate areas for character assessment that will define specific local variations to the Code."This process will prevent new dwellings from having an adverse impact on an identified area's desired character," Mr Holloway says. "The Rann Government wants to ensure the most efficient planning system in the nation, but not at the expense of the characteristics that give Adelaide's suburbs their essential character and charm."In the months ahead, the government will be working collaboratively with local government and the community to identify the specific features that distinguish character within our suburbs."For further information on the new Residential Development Code visit the Department of Planning and Local Government's website http://www.dplg.sa.gov.au/

10/03/2009

Bidding has opened for five petroleum exploration licences in the Cooper Basin in South Australia's northeast.Minister for Mineral Resources Development Paul Holloway says the licences form the first major release of Cooper Basin blocks since the highly successful acreage releases in 1998-2000.Those releases opened the basin to a new generation of explorers, Mr Holloway says."These new explorers have confirmed the basin as an excellent exploration investment destination, as well as driving a significant increase in South Australian oil production," he says.Bidding for the licences - which range in area from a minimum 666 sq km to at least 3,035 sq km - closes on 15 October 2009.

10/03/2009

South Australia's future opportunities in advanced manufacturing lie in defence, health and ‘clean' technologies, according to a survey of companies in the sector.Preliminary findings from the Mapping Capability in Advanced Manufacturing R&D in SA report - released late last month - indicate that more collaboration between universities and industry will create further developments in advanced manufacturing, and that many would lie in key niche sectors. Industry and university representatives from 40 local businesses and 19 university faculties connected to advanced manufacturing participated in the surveys that formed the basis of the findings.The preliminary research showed that almost 50% of the surveyed companies are engaged in R&D with universities, but that more would work with researchers if pathways were accessible.South Australia's Constellation SA ‘Research for Innovation' initiative has led to the investment of more than $1 million to support new research industry alliances and clusters over the last 18 months.Centre for Innovation manager Greg Boundy says one of the Centre's key roles is to develop the kind of fruitful links between industry and university highlighted in the research.

10/03/2009

New South Australian trade offices in Vietnam and Chile will open by May.They will boost trade opportunities between South Australia and two of the world's rapidly developing economies.Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade Kevin Foley says South Australia will become the first Australian state to establish trade representation in Vietnam, which has an economy growing at about seven per cent a year.Mr Foley says a dedicated South Australian representative based at Austrade's Ho Chi Minh City office will identify trade opportunities for the State's agri-business, food and beverage (including wine), education and training, water and related infrastructure and the ICT/electronics sectors.A trade presence in Chile is considered a strategic move for South Australia, a State with similar interests in mining, wine and agribusiness, Mr Foley says. The representative will operate from Austrade's Santiago office."Chile is a primary target for mining technology products, and opportunities will be enhanced when a Free Trade Agreement between (Chile and Australia) comes into force sometime later this year," Mr Foley says.

3/03/2009

The majority of Australian workers are planning to look for a more meaningful job in the next year even as the global financial crisis worsens, a survey shows. The poll of about 13,000 Australians found 59 per cent of respondents were thinking about seeking a job with a new employer within the next 12 months. The survey, by global recruitment firm Kelly Services, found older workers were more restless in their job than employees aged under 30, with two-thirds of baby boomers considering a job switch. Across all age groups, 55 per cent of people were prepared to give up income or status for a more meaningful job. "Even in the face of an economic slowdown, there are still a significant number prepared to change jobs to find more engaging work," Kelly Services managing director James Bowmer said. "They place value on work which is personally satisfying, which builds competence and self-belief, and which helps to advance long-term career goals." The survey produced some surprising results with 57 per cent of generation Y - those aged between 18 and 29 - long considered to be more materialistic, prepared to forego salary and position advantages. The survey also showed that 54 per cent of Generation X employees, those aged between 30 and 47, felt their career goals were not being met. "The findings explode some of the stereotypes about Gen Y workers who are typically portrayed as footloose and impatient," Mr Bowmer said. "Rather it is Gen X and baby boomers who are most dissatisfied with their career choices, and who plan to change jobs in significantly larger numbers." Across all generations, women were more likely to be concerned about meeting career goals, while men were more inclined to change jobs.

3/03/2009

The Reserve Bank of Australia left its key cash rate unchanged at 3.25 per cent after today's monthly board meeting, pausing after 400 basis points worth of cuts since September. While many economists had predicted a further cut of between 25 and 50 basis points, they also suggested the central bank may not move this month to gauge the effect of recent rapid reductions in rates and the Government's two economic stimulus packages. Financial markets are still predicting further cuts down the track. Commenting on the decision, RBA governor Glenn Stevens said the board judged that the current stance on monetary policy was appropriate. He said demand had not weakened as much as in other countries and Australia had not experienced the sort of large growth contractions seen elsewhere. "There has already been a major change in both monetary and fiscal policy," Mr Stevens said in a statement. "Market and mortgage rates are at very low levels by historical standards and business loan rates are below recent averages, reducing debt-servicing burdens considerably." He said the board would consider the position again at the next meeting.

2/03/2009

The Federal Government plans to run a smaller skilled immigration program but wants to keep it responsive to the economy. Immigration Minister Chris Evans has flagged a drop in the number of skilled migrants as Australians faces higher unemployment due to the global financial crisis. But he hasn't indicated how deep will be the cuts. Senator Evans told a Senate estimates hearing the Government wanted to ensure Australians had first access to job opportunities. "We want to make sure our skilled persons have access to those job opportunities first and that migration continues to meet the shortfalls in the skills areas where we need them," he said. But the Government also needed to maintain access to skilled workers for when the economy turned upwards. "It's about running a smaller program but keeping it responsive to the needs of the economy and not so dismantling the program as to create problems longer term," he said. "We ought not pull the levers too hard to damage Australia's longer term interests as an attractive place for migration. "The fact (is) they will need people quickly, potentially, to deal with any upturn in the economy." Cabinet will determine the exact size of Australia's skilled migration quota. "Cabinet will make that decision, until they make that decision I can't tell you because the decision hasn't been made," Senator Evans told the hearing. He said the reduction was made necessary by economic circumstances, which had changed quite dramatically. It was anticipated that demand "in certain skill areas and regions will diminish, just by the reduction in economic activity," Senator Evans said. "So one would look to obviously reduce the number of people one would bring in to fill what might be vacancies that are no longer there or might not be there in coming times." He stressed it was still necessary bring in people for some jobs because it wasn't always simple to match vacancies with job seekers. "A process worker laid off in a car plant in Adelaide is not going to fill the need for Queensland to have doctors in country towns," he said.

2/03/2009

Skilled job vacancies slumped a further 11 per cent per cent in February, new data shows. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations skilled vacancies index in February was 46.4 points, 52.4 per cent lower than in February 2008. Vacancies fell in all three occupational groups monitored by the department. Trade vacancies declined 12.4 per cent, associate professionals fell 7.5 per cent and professionals dropped 6.3 per cent. The fall in skilled vacancies was widespread, with decreases also evident in 17 of the 18 professions monitored by DEEWR. The largest fall was in printing trades, down 29.4 per cent. The only occupation to rise was marketing and advertising professionals, increasing 0.4 per cent. All states and territories experienced decreases in skilled vacancies in February, the largest drop being 14.8 per cent in Western Australia. Similarly, all states and territories suffered declines in the year to February, led by NSW with a fall of 62.1 per cent.

2/03/2009

Australian winemakers are set to benefit from cutting-edge science technology in Adelaide, promising to give them a global advantage in the development of wine. The $2-million facility has been launched by Science Minister, Paul Caica, at the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus, Urrbrae. It's been jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments, under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), as one of 11 major, science infrastructure projects being developed in South Australia. The state-of the art Metabolomics facility, being housed and managed by the Australian Wine Research Institute, is located in the new $30 million Wine Innovation Cluster.Minister Caica says that with South Australia being the nation's biggest wine producer, the facility will stimulate business investment and jobs in the State."This facility will help develop innovative solutions for the Australian wine industry, with South Australia at its heart, in the form of improved quality, new varieties and better value wine," he says."The exciting new area of science called Metabolomics involves the comprehensive study of small molecules. "The South Australian node will focus on microbial metabolomics, allowing winemakers to chemically define the unique characteristics and attributes of a particular wine or wine style."This will provide a much greater understanding of how variables, such as environmental conditions, genetic variations of vines, yeast and bacteria shape the sensory attributes of wines."The combination of this infrastructure, access to scientists working in this exciting new field, and a willingness by industry to take advantage of new technology and adopt new approaches, will put our wine industry in the world vanguard of wine-making.""South Australia's metabolomics node will also be accessed by the broader food and beverage industries enabling them to tailor-make future products."Together with other NCRIS metabolomics nodes around Australia that will focus on strategically important areas such as medicine, agrifood, the environment and life sciences, South Australia's node will sustain our future discovery, innovation capability and international competitiveness."

2/03/2009

Two new trade offices in Vietnam and Chile are to be established by the Government to promote trade opportunities.Trade Minister, Kevin Foley announced the move saying the new offices would open in the coming months. He said South Australia was the first Australian state to establish trade representation in Vietnam. "There are significant opportunities in Vietnam and this office will enable South Australian businesses to capitalise on them," he said. "By getting ahead of the other States, our businesses will have the advantage of being the first to market." Mr Foley said a dedicated South Australian representative will be based at Austrade's Ho Chi Minh City office. "I expect the push into Vietnam to create opportunities for the State's agri-business, food and beverage, including wine, education and training, water and related infrastructure and the ICT/electronics sectors," he said "Vietnam is regarded as a ‘transition tiger' with its economy growing at up to 7 per cent a year. The country has emerged as a major trading partner with South Australia and the State currently enjoys a trade surplus with Vietnam in excess of $250 million." Mr Foley said the establishment of a trade presence in Chile was considered a strategic move in the region. "Not only can we capitalise on the potential for two-way investment and joint ventures because of the shared nature of our economies [mining, wine and agribusiness], but we can also use the office as a stepping stone into Brazil, one of the world's fastest growing economies." "Chile and Australia are major southern hemisphere mining nations and Chile is a primary target for mining technology products," he said. "Such opportunities will only be enhanced once a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries comes into force sometime later this year." The South Australian representative in Chile will operate out of Austrade's office in Santiago. Mr Foley said that in the 12 months to November 2008, the value of South Australia's overseas goods exports was $10.6 billion, up 12 per cent on the previous 12 months.

2/03/2009

A new report on South Australia's research and development capabilities in advanced manufacturing suggests that defence, health and ‘clean' technologies are key areas for future development.Preliminary findings from the report, Mapping Capability in Advanced Manufacturing R&D in SA, have been released. Sponsored by the State Government - through its Constellation SA ‘Research for Innovation' initiative and its Centre for Innovation - the report identifies the current advanced manufacturing research capabilities of 40 local enterprises and 19 faculties within the State's three local universities.Science Minister Paul Caica says more collaboration between universities and industry will open up further opportunities for advanced manufacturing in the State."The preliminary research has found that almost 50% of companies surveyed are engaged in R&D with universities and more would engage if pathways to link them with the research sector were accessible," he says."It's also found that future opportunities for advanced manufacturing include clean technologies and alternative energies, mining, defence, health care and improving manufacturing processes."The Mawson Institute for Advanced Manufacturing is already beginning to deliver returns on the State's investment of $8 million. The major areas of specialisation - surface engineering, nano-manufacturing and virtual design - have led to major research collaborations with several local and international industry partners and universities." "And our Constellation SA ‘Research for Innovation' initiative has seen over $1-million invested in supporting new research industry alliances and clusters over the past 18 months and the fostering of strategic research capability by grouping it in relevant precincts.""Now that we have the preliminary findings of the Mapping Capability report, the State's Chief Scientist, Dr. Ian Chessell, will move to establish a steering group comprising industry and researchers, potentially as part of an Advanced Manufacturing Alliance."Dr Ian Chessell says such an alliance could assist in recommending priorities for the development of further research partnerships with industry and for facilitating cluster growth and development."An excellent example of this is the thriving Medical Devices Partnering Program, a collaboration between South Australian researchers, end-users and industry to develop cutting-edge medical devices and assistive technologies, which results in new products in the market," Dr. Chessell says."South Australia has many natural advantages lending itself to the application of clean energy technologies including geothermal and solar. In the development and deployment of these, there are major opportunities for the State's advanced manufacturing sector."SA Centre for Innovation Manager, Mr Greg Boundy, says the Centre was the key to successful partnerships between industry and university."The Centre for Innovation specialises in providing support in key industry sectors, helping South Australian businesses increase sales by opening new markets or increasing sales in existing markets," Mr. Boundy says."Our existing manufacturing base is a broad user of advanced manufacturing techniques and technologies and has extensive linkages with research institutions. These should be built on and extended."

2/03/2009

The number of international students studying in Australia jumped 21 per cent last year, the biggest rise since 2002, Education Minister Julia Gillard says. A record 543,898 international students attended Australian institutions in 2008, the first time the figure exceeded 500,000 in a calendar year. But it's too early to know what effect the global financial crisis will have on 2009 enrolments. The majority of international students in Australia attend universities and TAFEs. The higher education sector grew by 4.7 per cent last year, new Australian Education International data reveals. Enrolments by Asian students were up 21.5 per cent, with China providing the greatest overall figure of 127,276 enrolments in 2008. "The increase in student enrolments from Asia is recognition of Australia's ongoing relationship with our Asian neighbours, and the strong awareness of Australia as a quality education destination around the world," Ms Gillard said in a statement. The effect of the global financial crisis on international enrolments in 2009 would become clearer in the next few weeks, the education minister said. "(But) it is encouraging to hear a number of Australian education institutions reporting continuing strong interest from international students wishing to study in Australia." International education contributed $14.2 billion to the economy in 2007-08; making it Australia's third-largest export behind coal and iron ore.

2/03/2009

The average weekly wage in Australia is now $1166.50, after growing by 5.5 per cent in the year to November. The quarterly seasonally-adjusted pace of average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE) jumped 1.6 per cent in the three months to November, Australian Bureau of Statistics data released today show. The annual rate is well above the Reserve Bank of Australia's perceived "line in the sand" at 4.5 per cent. Fortunately for borrowers, the central bank's immediate focus is on economic growth rather than inflation. On that score there were further signs that the economy avoided the worst of the global recession in final three months of 2008. Business investment unexpectedly grew by a seasonally-adjusted 6.0 per cent in the December quarter, the ABS said. Economists had forecast a 3.0 per cent fall. Planned capital investment has not fallen away as some economists had feared, despite the economic slowdown. The first estimate of expenditure for 2009-10 is $79.866 billion - 0.6 per cent higher than the first estimate of 2008-09 - although it does suggest zero growth in capital spending in the coming financial year. The fifth estimate of expenditure for 2008-09 is $98.145 billion, 4.4 per cent lower than the fourth estimate, but 14.3 per cent higher than the fifth estimate for 2007-08. The latest estimates of expenditure were surveyed in January and February. Business investment has been a major plank of support for the economy in recent years as companies used proceeds from the resources boom to upgrade their facilities. Today's capital expenditure data feeds into next week's September quarter national accounts.

2/03/2009

The Federal Government has fast-tracked access to its $3.9 billion energy efficient homes program so that homeowners can install free ceiling insulation immediately. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Environment Minister Peter Garrett today announced that new guidelines were now available to allow 2.7 million householders to check if their homes are eligible. It means that instead of waiting until July 1, households can apply now and arrange for the work to be done and then submit the receipts to the Government to collect a rebate. After July 1, the Government will pay suppliers upfront for the work to be done in eligible households. "In order to get this stimulus going now, the work done now, these guidelines are up and running today," Mr Rudd said. "It is one practical part of a strategy for dealing with how we support the economy, jobs and families at a time when we have a global economic recession to deal with." The program provides free ceiling insulation worth up to $1600 for the homes of eligible owner-occupiers, insulation worth up to $1000 for private rental properties and a rebate worth up to $1600 for installing a solar hot water system. Mr Garrett said the Government had been inundated with calls from tradespeople and businesses wanting to know when they could begin installing insulation. Mr Rudd said the program did something "real" for the environment as well as generating jobs. "Households across the country will be able to make their practical plans for engaging tradies, for working out what's needed for their individual home situation and to make arrangements with suppliers," Mr Rudd told reporters. "Once they've spent their money in getting the work done they can apply for a rebate." Mr Rudd and Mr Garrett toured Just-Rite Insulation in the Canberra suburb of Fyshwick at lunchtime on Thursday to make the announcement. Mr Rudd said people could see if they qualified by checking online at www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency. The $3.9 billion program was announced earlier this month as part of the $42 billion economic stimulus package.

16/02/2009

Long-term staff are invaluable, and in recognition of their continuous service over a ten year period are entitled to long service leave payments. Since the Long Service Leave Act 1987 came into effect in 1988, calculations to how payment for long service leave is calculated in South Australia have remained unchanged. However, recent amendments have been made to the Act, directly affecting the way that average weekly hours are now calculated.Effective from 1 January 2009, employers need to be aware of the small but significant amendments which affect the calculation payment process for staff taking or cashing out their long service leave on or after this date. In particular: > All paid leave is now considered as time worked.> A whole week of unpaid leave is not considered as time worked.> A ‘rolling' average has been introduced, which means the averaging period is taken to be the last 12 months or three years of actual service (depending upon the circumstances) after unpaid leave is disregarded.Based on the new calculations, when averaging the hours worked, a total of 156 weeks worked, including paid leave, must be calculated. For example, if an employee had three months unpaid leave during the last three year period prior to taking long service leave, the average hours needed to be calculated would be over the three years and three months of actual work or paid leave.

16/02/2009

Consumer expectations for inflation have fallen to the lowest point in just over 10 years as Australians become more concerned about the deteriorating economic outlook, a survey shows. A Melbourne Institute survey of consumer inflationary expectations found the expected median inflation rate was 2.3 per cent in February, down from 2.7 per cent the previous month and the lowest reading since December 1998. The February result was less than half the 5.9 per cent recorded in July last year, which was the highest monthly reading since the survey began in 1993. Melbourne Institute research fellow Sam Tsiaplias said the spate of poor domestic and global economic news had dampened expectations of price rises. "Negative economic news and the prospect of higher unemployment have been on consumers' minds and have come to the forefront in the last few months," Dr Tsiaplias said. "That tends to have a dissipative effect on prices." The survey of 1200 people aged 18 years and older was conducted between February 2 and 8, after the release of the December quarter consumer price index. Inflation, as measured by the CPI, fell 0.3 per cent in the December quarter for an annual rate of 3.7 per cent, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed. The proportion of respondents who expect prices to increase fell to 52.7 per cent in February, down from 55.6 per cent the previous month. This compared with just 81.7 per cent in July last year. "Historically, we've seen about 70 to 75 per cent of people expect price to go up," Dr Tsiaplias said. "The last three months we've seen that figure closer to 50 per cent, so it's a significant drop in the number of people that expect prices to rise." The proportion of respondents who expected prices to either stay the same or go down rose to 34.1 per cent in February, from 30.8 the previous month. Dr Tsiaplias said the positive effect of handouts to pensioners and low- to middle-income families in December, as part of the federal government's first fiscal stimulus package, appeared to have dissipated.

16/02/2009

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures show the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in January 2009 was 5.6 per cent, 0.2 per cent higher than the previous months's adjusted figures.Statistics show the national unemployment rate increased to 4.8 per cent from December's rate of 4.5 per cent.Nationwide participation rates increased 0.1 to 65.1 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate increased by 0.3 per cent to 63.1 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that while the figures reflected an expected increase in unemployment, the economy was remaining resilient."Business confidence has dropped due to the effects of the financial instability sweeping the economy, however things could be a lot worse," Mr Vaughan said."With the economic downturn hitting consumer demand, recent interest rate cuts and stimulus plans will provide a boost to the economy.""It is now vitally important to implement the Government's stimulus package which will provide some much needed relief for businesses and families.""According to the Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations, employment levels were steady in the December quarter, with more than 60 per cent of respondents indicating no change in employment.""Unemployment is expected to increase in the March quarter according to 85 per cent of survey respondents."

13/02/2009

A slim rise in the number of people employed in January failed to stop the jobless rate jumping to 4.8 per cent, its highest level since June 2006. Total employment rose by a seasonally-adjusted 1200 in January. Full-time employment rose by 33,700, offset by a drop in part-time workers, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows. Economists had expected total employment to decline by 18,000 and a jobless rate of 4.7 per cent. The mining states suffered the biggest jump in unemployment during January. In Queensland the jobless rate jumped to 4.4 per cent from December's 3.9 per cent, while in Western Australia it increased to 3.2 per cent from 2.9 per cent. In NSW the rate rose to 5.4 per cent from 5.2 per cent, in Victoria it was up to 4.8 per cent from 4.6 per cent and in South Australia it went to 5.6 per cent from 5.4 per cent. In the Northern Territory the unemployment rate also rose to 4.2 per cent from 4.0 per cent. Tasmania bucked the trend, as its jobless rate fell to 4.5 per cent from 4.8 per cent, while in the ACT it was unchanged at 2.6 per cent for a third straight month.

13/02/2009

Deal struck on $42bn stimulusThe Government has reached a deal with Independent Senator Nick Xenophon to pass its economic stimulus bill through the Senate. Senator Xenophon told the Senate this morning the Government had agreed to an extra $900 million in concessions for the Murray-Darling Basin, ensuring his vote for the $42 billion package to pass through.The deal also included bringing forward an extra $500 million for water buybacks, an extra $200 million in community grants and $200 million for stormwater harvesting, as well as new rules making properties up to 40,000 hectares able to claim emergency grants, Mr Xenophon told the Senate.The Rudd Government also agreed to a Productivity Commission inquiry into the most efficient way to manage water buybacks, he said.Senator Xenophon yesterday joined with the Coalition to scuttle the Government's first attempt to get its economic kick-start through the Senate.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd immediately reintroduced his emergency economic plan into Parliament, passing through the lower house late last night.Treasurer Wayne Swan said the government would consider "reasonable propositions" to get the bill passed, but not a major overhaul.

10/02/2009

我们很高兴的通知您，我们将同香港澳洲商会一起举办商业移民同本地商人的‘商业速会'活动。 We are pleased to announce that our program will work together with Hong Kong Australian Business Association - South Australia Chapter on a new initiative - SPEED BUSINESS DATING between business migrants and local business people. ‘商业速会'是商业交流的一种形式。每次活动有10 到12 个商业移民同10 到12 个本地企业家或专业人士参加。一个商业移民同一个本地商业人士用中文进行3到5分钟的交流，然后挪到下一个位置同另一个本地商业人士交流，如此类推，直到这个商业移民同所有在场的本地商业人士都交流到为止。 SPEED BUSINESS DATING is a kind of networking event. 10 to 12 business migrants and 10-12 local business owners/professionals participate in each session. A migrant talks solely with a local business person using Chinese language for 3-5 minutes; then move on to the second business person; keep moving until this migrant has met with all local business person on the table. 通常一次活到耗时1小时。这个活动的目的是让商业移民认识和了解本地商业人士，尤其是华人商人。 One session normally takes 1 hour. The purpose is for business migrants to meet and get to know local business people, especially Chinese business people. 商业移民可以同这些本地商业人士交流移民经验及生意想法。因为这些本地商业人士从事各行各业，所以，商业移民可以同他们了解生活中的各种事情。 Business migrants can exchange migration experience and business ideas with these local business people. As these local business people are working in a diverse professionals and areas, so your topic can cover just about everything of your life. 我们积极鼓励大家参与这个活动。尤其是参加这个活动，您不用担心说英文的问题，可以直接用中文交流。 We encourage you to take this opportunity to network with local business people. Especially, in this event, you do not need to worry about your English; you can communicate in Chinese with local business people. 您可能会在这种交流中得到意想不到的收获。至少，您在参加完此次活动后会多认识几张华人商圈中的面孔。 You may be surprised what may come out of your conversation with these local business owners and professionals! But, as lease you would know more faces of the Chinese business community after the session! 第三次活动信息Third session: 日期：周一， 09年2月23日Date: Monday 23 Feb 2009时间：下午3.30-5 点Time: 3.30-5.00 pm地点：西太平洋银行大楼,19楼会议室，91 King William Street, AdelaideVenue: Level 19, Boardroom, Westpac House, 91 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000费用：免Cost: Free 请您一定要给我打电话 8300 0013 或发邮件到 lauraj@business-sa.com 预定您的位置。You must contact me on 8300 0013 or email lauraj@business-sa.com to reserve your seat.

4/02/2009

South Australian unemployment decreased slightly in December.The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures showed the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for South Australia in December 2008 was 5.3 per cent, 0.1 per cent lower than the previous month's adjusted figures.Statistics showed the national unemployment rate increased to 4.5 per cent from November's rate of 4.4 per cent.Nationwide participation rates decreased 0.1 to 65 per cent, while South Australia's participation rate decreased by 0.7 per cent to 62.9 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that the figures reflected the decrease in business confidence."Labour demand is traditionally high during the Christmas trading period, however the effects of the economic slowdown are evident," Mr Vaughan said."Loal unemployment levels saw a small decrease in December, mainly due to a fall in labour participation. Businesses are in a holding pattern in terms of increasing workforce numbers and the expectation is that things will get worse before it gets better.""With increasing competition from interstate businesses, now is the perfect time to upskill existing workers and create a competitive advantage into the future.""According to the Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations, employment levels were steady in the December quarter, with more than 60 per cent of respondents indicating no changes in employment. Unemployment is expected to increase in the March quarter according to 85 per cent of survey respondents."

4/02/2009

Effects of the global financial crisis are evident in today's CPI figures.Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures showed that the national CPI decreased 0.3 per cent from the September 2008 quarter to the December 2008 quarter, for an annual rate of 3.7 per cent.Adelaide's CPI figures also had a decrease of 0.3 per cent from September 2008 to December 2008, for an annual rate of 3.8 per cent.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that falling prices indicated a decrease in consumer demand."The continued decrease in business and consumer confidence has led to the expected fall in inflation," said Mr Vaughan."The global financial crisis remains a major threat to business confidence and investment, and further interest rate cuts are necessary in the coming months. while previous rate cuts have provided some relief, further action is required to lift the enormous pressure being faced by home and business owners.""According to the Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the December quarter, South Australian business confidence decreased 15 per cent from the previous quarter."

4/02/2009

The unemployment rate is expected to soar to 7 per cent as the economy feels the heat from the global recession, the federal government warns. In what can only be described as a mini-budget, the government today launched a further $42 billion package to try to stave off a deep economic recession in Australia, while confirming the budget will be in deficit for at least the next three years. The government also updated last November's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) today, slashing its economic and employment growth forecasts. The budget is now expected to sink into a $22.5 billion deficit in the 2008/09 financial year, a massive deterioration from the $5.4 billion surplus projected in MYEFO, and deepening into deficits of more than $30 billion in the following two years. Gross domestic product (GDP) is now expected to grow by just 1.0 per cent in the 2008/09 and by only 0.75 per cent the following year, compared with respective forecasts of 2.0 per cent and 2.25 per cent made in November. More people are now expected to lose their job as the economic downturn savages business, with the unemployment rate now forecast to rise to 5.5 per cent in 2008-09 and 7.0 per cent in 2009-10. In November, the government had forecast respective jobless rates of 5.0 and 5.75 per cent. The unemployment rate was 4.5 per cent in December. The latest stimulus package - Nation Building and Jobs plan - will invest $28.8 billion in schools, housing and roads, and hand out $12.7 billion in payments to low- and middle-income earners, while aiming to support 90,000 jobs during the next two years. It comes on top of the $10.4 billion stimulus package announced last October. The mini-budget comes as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) holds its first board meeting of the year. The annouced cut took the cash rate to 3.25 per cent, the lowest level in 45 years. The federal government's $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs plan is aimed at stimulating the economy and supporting up to 90,000 jobs during the next two years. Key points of the mini-budget: * $14.7 billion to be invested in school infrastructure and maintenance and bringing forward funding for trade training centres; * $6.6 billion to increase the national stock of public and community housing by about 20,000 new homes; * $3.9 billion to provide free insulation to 2.7 million homes and solar hot water rebates; * $890 million to fix regional roads and blackspots, to install railway boom gates and for regional and local government infrastructure; * $2.7 billion small and general business tax break to provide deductions for some equipment purchases before the end of June 2009; * $12.7 billion for immediate one-off payments to working Australians, families with school-age children, farmers, single income families and for those undergoing training.

3/02/2009

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has slashed its official cash rate by a further 100 basis points following today's board meeting. The cash rate is now 3.25 per cent, the lowest level in 45 years. Economists had expected a cut of at least 75 basis points given the rapid deterioration in the global economy since the central bank last cut the rate in December. The RBA has cut the rate by a massive 400 basis points since September last year in attempts to protect the economy from sinking into recession. Earlier, the federal government said it expected economic growth to be just 1.0 per cent in 2008-09, slowing to a mere 0.75 per cent in 2009/10. This is a marked downgrade from the respective forecasts of 2.0 per cent and 2.25 per cent made in November. RBA governor Glenn Stevens says the combination of last year's financial turmoil, a severe global downturn and substantial falls in commodity prices have dampened confidence in Australia. Mr Stevens says in these circumstances the board believes a further sizable reduction in the cash rate is appropriate to support further demand. He says in making its decision the board took into account the government's additional 42 billion dollar stimulus package announced earlier on Tuesday. The RBA will release its quarterly monetary policy statement on Friday.

3/02/2009

STIMULUS PACKAGE AT A GLANCE $14.7b for schools - $200,000 each $6.6b for 20,000 new homes $3.9b to insulate 2.7m homes $890m for road repairs and infrastructure $2.7b small business tax break $12.7b for cash bonuses of up to $950 The Federal Government today unveiled a mini-budget to spend $42 billion on "nation building and jobs" as it revealed there had been an incredible $200 billion turnaround in the budget bottom-line over the next four years. In a fresh bid to spend its way out of recession, the Government announced five one-off cash bonuses worth up to $950 will be paid to middle and low-income workers and families, children going back-to-school, farmers in hardship and people undertaking training. The package also gives $200,000 to every school for maintenance, spends $890 million on regional roads and black spots, will build 20,000 new homes, boosts rebates for solar hot water and gives tax breaks to small business. The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, claimed 90,000 jobs would be created by the package over the next two years, but despite this the unemployment rate was predicted to jump to 7 per cent by next year. The budget will be $22.5 billion in deficit for this financial year - a $44 billion turnaround from the $21.7 billion surplus predicted in Mr Swan's first budget last May. Despite the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, saying it would be a "temporary deficit", today's mini-budget reveals the nation's finances will be in the red for at least the next four years with the accumulated deficit of $118 billion (almost identical to the $115 billion that has been wiped from expected tax collections from companies, individuals and the GST). This compares to $79 billion worth of surpluses predicted for the same period just nine months ago - a $197 billion slump. Mr Swan said decline had been caused by the severity and speed of the global recession. The government brushed off predictions by the International Monetary Fund and other leading experts that Australia will record negative growth and slide into recession, and continues to predict positive, albeit flat, growth. The cash splash in the mini-budget is predicted to add 0.5 per cent to GDP in 2008-09 and 0.75 to 1 per cent in 2009-10. With the boost, economic growth is expected to still be 1 per ent in 2008-09 and 0.75 per ent in 2009-10. The government did not bring forward the personal income tax cuts scheduled for July 1, as called for by the Opposition. Mr Swan said there were five planks to today's mini-budget. Every one of the nation's 9540 schools will get up to $200,000 for maintenance and minor building works as part of a $14.7 billion scheme that will also provide money for 500 schools to build new science labs and language learning centres in needy high schools while primary and special schools may get new or refurbished libraries and multipurpose halls. About $6.6 billion will be spent on building 20,000 new "social housing dwellings" and 802 new homes for defence personnel. There will also be urgent maintenance to upgrade 2500 vacant houses so they can be used for social housing. Mr Rudd said this project would provide a "massive and immediate" boost for the housing and construction industry. A new scheme to make homes more energy efficient will cost $3.9 billion with the government promising to install free ceiling insulation in 2.7 million homes. The government claims this will cut household erergy bills by $200 a year and the overall project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 by the equivalent to taking one million cars off the road. The government also increased the solar hot water rebate from $1000 to $1600, effective from today until June 30, 2012. The scheme is not means tested. It also doubled the low emissions plan for renters rebate to $1000. About $890 million will be spent on fixing road accident black spots and regional roads and projects. Mr Rudd said $90 million would be spent giving 350 accident black spots a safety upgrade and the government would spend $150 million installing 200 new boom gates at high-risk rail crossings. The roads package includes $150 million to help the states fund a backlog of maintenance projects on the nation's highways with the remaining $500 million to help pay for community infrastructure projects such as town halls, libraries, sports centres and community venues. Small business gets a $2.7 billion package of tax breaks that includes an extra $600 tax deduction for any small business that buys and installs a $2000 computer before the end of June. Those small firms that buy and take possession of a $60,000 backhoe by the end of June can claim an extra $18,000 tax deduction. Small businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million a year, can also claim an extra 30 per cent tax deduction for assets costing more than $1000 or more that they buy and between December 13, 2008 and June 30, 2009 and install by June 30, 2010. The cash bonuses announced today will be paid in March and April. About 8.7 million workers will get a lump sum tax-free bonus, depending on their annual income. Those earning up to $80,000 a year will receive $950, those earning between $80,000 and $90,000 will get $650 and those earning between $90,000 and $100,000 get a $300 bonus. Single-income families who receive the Family Tax Benefit Part B - about 1.5 million families - will get $950 on March 11. It will only be paid to those who were eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part B on February 3. Those receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A with a child aged between 4 and 18 years will get a $950 back to school bonus. The government expects 2.76 million children in 1.5 million families will share $2.6 billion. About $511 million will fund a $950 training and learning bonus for 440,000 students and those returning to study such as those on youth allowance, Austudy and related payments (but not those who get the back to school bonus). Farmers will also benefit with a hardship bonus of $950 for those receiving exceptional circumstances related income support in a package worth $20.4 million. Mr Rudd said the spending was aimed at boosting economic activity and jobs and combating the global recession. "There will be no quick fix to this global recession and many of its effects are still to be felt," he said. "But the government is taking the necessary and responsible action to help see Australia through this global crisis."

3/02/2009

House prices on average fell again in the final three months of 2008, a third straight quarterly decline, new data shows. Despite cheaper mortgages and greater incentives for first home buyers, prices of established homes on average fell 3.3 per cent in 2008. The Australian Bureau of Statistics house price index released today shows average house prices in Australia's capital cities fell by a further 0.8 per cent in the December quarter. Economists had expected a 1.0 per cent decline. The worst hit cities during the quarter were Melbourne (down 1.7 per cent), Brisbane (down 1.2 per cent) and Perth (down 0.9 per cent.) Over the year, Perth prices fell 6.7 per cent, while Sydney and Canberra prices were both off 4.1 per cent. The Reserve Bank of Australia is widely expected to cut its cash rate again by at least 75 basis points when its board meets for the first time this year tomorrow. The central bank slashed the rate by 300 basis points between September and December last year in attempts to stave off a recession. The Federal Government also doubled the first home owners grant to $14,000 for the purchase of existing houses as part of last year's $10.4 billion economic stimulus package, and to $21,000 for newly built homes.

27/01/2009

Prices paid by businesses rose sharply in the December quarter, partly as a result of high import prices because of a weakened Australian dollar. The December quarter producer price index showed prices in the final stage of production grew 1.3 per cent after accelerating by a record 2.0 per cent in the previous three months, data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today showed. In annual terms, the PPI grew 6.4 per cent, the highest level since the data series began in 1999, after surging to 5.6 per cent in the 12 months to September. Economists had forecast December quarter PPI to rise just 0.3 per cent for an annual rise of 5.4 per cent. However, economists doubt the result will deter the Reserve Bank of Australia from resuming its aggressive rate cutting stance to guard against a recession when its board meets next week.

27/01/2009

Cutting tax is one of a series of options the Rudd Government is considering to boost the economy, Trade Minister Simon Crean says. The Government is reported to be looking at increasing the low-income tax offset, and also the income level at which taxpayers face the 30 per cent tax rate, all in one hit, rather than staggering the changes over the next two years as planned. "Tax cuts are one of the series of options one would look at to stimulate domestic activity," Mr Crean told ABC Radio. Mr Crean said consumption - one of the pillars of economic growth along with business investment, capital works and net exports - was influenced by tax cuts. He will use international talks about the global financial crisis in Davos this week to push for further trade liberalisation. "The best way for world growth to grow is to free up the trade flows, to conclude the DOHA round, because world trade grows much faster than world output." Key welfare groups, meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard today to discuss how the sector will cope with a likely increase in unemployment, have welcomed reports the government is considering tax relief for low-income earners. The measure is expected to be among a wish-list presented to Ms Gillard during the meeting in Sydney.

23/01/2009

Dear members,Happy Lunar New Year of the OX!We wish you and your family a happy, safe and rewarding 2009!You can join the Immigration SA Lunar New Year Picnic or the Chinntown Street Party to celebrate the New Year:Immigration SA - 2009 Lunar New Year Picnic Immigration SA invites you to join the Business Migration Team for a Picnic to celebrate the 2009 Lunar New Year. Date: Saturday 31 January 2009, 12:30pm to 4:00pm Venue: South West Corner of Rymill Park, Adelaide Contact：Cocoa Ho, 8204 99032009 Lunar New Year Chinatown Street Party Chinatown Adelaide South Australia Inc. invite you to celebrate the 2009 Lunar New Year in Chinatown. The event shall include lion dances, Chinese martial arts, multicultural performance and firecrackers. Also, there will be stalls promoting authenitc oriental food and artifacts. Date: Saturday 31 January 2009, 11:15 am Venue: Moonta Street, Chinatown, Adelaide

20/01/2009

Taxation - Income Tax, Employer Obligation, GST & Record Keeping Workshop 所得税基础、雇主义务、记录保存及消费税讲座此讲座涵括3个主题 This session combined 3 Taxation topics: - 所得税基础 Income Tax Basics - 雇主义务 Employer Obligations - 记录保存及消费税 GST & Record Keeping 所得税基础和雇主义务是您在开始生意时必须了解的2项基本税务内容。记录保存及消费税部分提供更详细的、具有动手计算和如何填写相关税务表格的信息。Income Tax Basics & Employer Obligations are the two main topics you need to understand when starting a business. GST & Record Keeping provides more depth in taxation and also hands-on experience of filling forms and keep records. 该讲座，用中文讲解，配合部分中文翻译的讲解稿，税务局的官员将会手把手的教您如何计算、如何填写相关表格。每节为3-4小时，每班不超过20人。请您务必要电8300 0013预定位置。如果您选的时间已满，我们会安排您参加其他时间的学习。This workshop, will be delivered in mandarin, with some Chinese translated materials. The ATO officer will walk you through requirements, calculation and how to fill out forms. This 3-4 hours workshop will be delivered in a group no more than 20, so, please call 8300 0013 to book your seat. If the session of your choice is full, will be put you in a later session. 讲座对如何纪录平日的账目和作BAS运作表有了很清楚地了解。讲座中的材料也是平日作帐和保存记录很好的样本。参加了这个讲座，一定会让管理公司的财务及和你的会计师沟通变得轻松。The session gives a clear understanding of how to keep financial records and how to fill Business Activity Statement (BAS). And the materials used in this session can be a good example of how to keep finanical records and calculate GST in your business. Attending this session will make your work of managing the company finance and communicating with your accountant much easier. Date: Friday 30 January 2009, 1:00pm to 5:00pm 时间：2009年1月30日，下午1.00 到下午 5.00 Venue地址: 91 Waymouth Street, Adelaide SA 5000

20/01/2009

Dear Business Migrants and family,Immigration SA invites you to join the Business Migration Team for a picnic lunch to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Saturday 31 January 2009, 12.30pm.Location: Rymill Park South West cornerContact: 08-8204 9903Please see attached Chinese and Korean flyers for details.

19/01/2009

Retailers are warning that the economic downturn could lead to the loss of up to 50,000 jobs in the sector this year.Australian National Retailers Association chief executive Margy Osmond says the retail sector is Australia's largest single employer, with more than 1.5 million jobs.ABS labour force figures show 44,000 full-time jobs across all sectors were lost in December.

19/01/2009

Australian home buyers are starting to build smaller homes, after the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that new homes had reached 239 square meters on average in 2006-07. Many developers and builders are offering similarly sized homes. The Housing Industry Association says the economic downturn is one reason, however, some consultants point out that people are now more concernd about the neighbourhood they move to, not just the house.

16/01/2009

Companies in South Australia are adjusting their workforces in response to the global economic downturn, the state government says. South Australia bucked the national trend in December, posting 0.1 percentage point fall in unemployment to 5.3 per cent. The figures put the number of people in jobs at 782,000 with 45,100 looking for work. But Acting Employment Minister Carmel Zollo said they also showed a significant drop in part-time employment. "We warned last month that we expected a weakening of the labour market as a result of the global financial crisis and the difficult economic circumstances facing the global economy," Ms Zollo said. "It now appears that businesses are reducing the numbers of part-time members of their workforce." The minister said it was important for employers to continue their commitment to training to maintain the capacity to rebound swiftly as the economic conditions improved.

16/01/2009

The number of people in full-time work fell marginally during December while part-time employment rose, reflecting the increase in holiday-season jobs. The latest labour-force figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the overall jobless rate rose slightly at 4.5 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms while the participation rate fell 0.1 per cent to 65 per cent. Total employment fell 1200 to 10,742,300 along with a decline of 43,900 in the number of people in full-time work while part-time employment increased by 42,800 in seasonally adjusted terms. Unemployment rose by 2600 to 501,100, defying economists' predictions of a more substantial rise. The number of people looking for full-time work increased by 2600 to 349,400 while those seeking part-time work remained steady at 151,700. Male unemployment increased by 0.3 per cent to 4.4 per cent while the rate among females also rose 0.3 per cent to 4.5 per cent. The unemployment rate in NSW remained steady in December at 5.2 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms compared to November. But the number of jobless in Victoria rose to 4.6 percent in December (from 4.4 per cent in November), Queensland's rate increased marginally to 3.9 per cent (3.8 per cent), as did Tasmania's to 4.7 per cent (4.5 per cent). Unemployment fell slightly in South Australia to 5.3 per cent (from 5.4 per cent) and declined in Western Australia to 2.8 per cent (3.0 per cent). The number of jobless in the Northern Territory rose slightly to 3.8 per cent (3.7 per cent) while unemployment in the ACT declined to 2.6 per cent (2.7 per cent).

14/01/2009

Retail sales soared in the final weeks of December, with the Australian Retail Association predicting a national take of $37 billion over the Christmas period.In South Australia, ARA research predicts $2.6 billion was spend in December. Executive director Richard Evans said the result - a 2 per cent increase on $36.5 billion of 2007 - was a great outcome considering the economic climate."Australians were more confident about gift giving with reduced petrol prices, lowering interest rates and the Rudd Government's cash bonus," he said. "We are also seeing a new type of consumer emerge - a more thrifty, credit-savvy, saving consumer."

14/01/2009

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan will not rule out bringing forward tax cuts to stimulate the economy. The Federal Government is reportedly under pressure from the International Monetary Fund to bring forward $4.5 billion worth of tax cuts due mid next year. Mr Swan said all options were on the table. "I don't get into the daily business of ruling initiatives in or out," he told reporters in Brisbane. "But I've said repeatedly since the last stimulus package in October and the prime minister has said repeatedly we will take whatever measures are required to support jobs and to strengthen the economy in the face of a slowing world economy." Mr Swan said the Government would observe the effects of the last stimulus package through the early part of this year. "I just would also note today the reaffirmation of our credit rating by Standard and Poor's that reaffirms the fundamental resilience of the Australian economy and why our economy security strategy was so important and its timing was so important."

9/01/2009

Sales of new homes declined in November last year espite the interest cuts and an increase in the first home buyer's grant.The Housing Industry Association's survey for November revealed that a slowing economy and tougher access to credit led investors to postpone purchase of homes in the second half of 2008.Sales of new homes fell by 1.1 per cent in November after a 3.1 per cent rise the month before. The Housing Industry Association's report was compiled from a samply of the largest 100 residential builders. Sales of new detached houses fell by 0.4 per cent in November after a 5.2 per cent rise in October.

8/01/2009

Business confidence has dropped sharply during the December quarter, reflecting the negative effects of the global financial crisis, accroding to the State's leading business organisation, Business SA.The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations for the December quarter showed that the South Australian confidence index decreased 14.7 points (15.1 per cent) to 82.8 points.This decrease pushes confidence to a two-year low, and follows a 9 point confidence rise in the September quarter, following cuts to interest rates.The slide in business confidence for the December quarter is being attributed to the impact of the global financial crisis hitting the local economy.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that survey results indicated that confidence from interest rates cuts was short lived and there were major concerns for business."The interest rate cuts provided some much needed relief for business, however it was not enough to stem the impact of the volatility in financial markets," said Mr Vaughan."General business conditions in the December quater dipped much further than anticipated and are at the lowest levels since the index was introduced in 2001."The cost of doing business is still a major challenge for the business community and expectations are that the current climate will get worse before it gets better."Interest rates have been too high for too long, and we would like to see further rate cuts in 2009 as the local economy remains under threat."According to the respondents, the decrease in confidence in the December quarter survey is set to continue in the next quarter."Although we have lower petrol prices and the expectation of further cuts in interest rates, respondents are clearly concerned about the upcoming quarter."Joe Formichella, General Manager Corporate Financial Services, South Australia and Northern Territory, Commonwealth Bank, said that he wasn't surprised that business confidence was down for the December quarter."These results reflect the continued volatility in equity markets and uncertainties in key economic indicators such as expected retail spend for the Christmas period and potential flow on impact on unemployment. Despite the initial confidence we saw from interest rate cuts, businesses are hesitant to grow debt in the current environment."Closely monitoring and managing cashflow - concentrating on both revenue generating activities as well as controlling expenses - continues to be critical for all businesses. In the existing market conditions businesses should continue to focus on core activities and be thorough when assessing opportunities to grow and aquire that will no doubt arise in the current environment," Mr Formichella said.Mr Vaughan said there was a combination of concerns from survey respondents which were contributing to the negative outlook, including material and overhead costs remaining high."Businesses are not only dealing with the impact of global events but also facing high labour and material costs, which is further deteriorating business confidence this quarter," said Mr Vaughan.With unemployment levels remaining stable in South Australia, the majority of businesses did not see a change in sourcing professional, skilled or unskilled labour."While confidence is struggling, more than half of respondents expect total real labour costs to remain stable in the March quarter, a reflection of loosening labour market conditions." We are used to seeing a decrease in unemployment during the Christmas trading period, however the economic slowdown has taken its toll and businesses are in a holding pattern in terms of increasing workforce numbers."The concerns do not look like easing for business with many respondents predicting pressures to remain at current levels into 2009.The majority of respondents indicated their export sales were the same as the previous quarter, and exporters predicted much of the same in the next quarter, with nearly 65 per cent expecting export sales to remain stagnant in the first quarter of 2009."The continued volatility in international financial markets has businesses divided on their opinion of the value of the Australian dollar," Mr Vaughan said.Almost half of survey participants expect a stable Australian dollar in the next quarter, while the remainder are split between a weaker and strengthening dollar.The December quarter survey also asked businesses about their opinion in relation to investment, foreign investment and interest rate management strategies, the effect of the global financial crisis and their attraction and retention strategies.Nearly half indicated that their investment strategies have not changed and they will continue with original expansion/acquisition plans.The majority state that they have not reviewed foreign exchange and interest rate risk management strategies for their business.Eighty percent indicated on increased difficulty in accessing credit for their buisness and the majority of businesses surveyed stated that they had not made any changes to their recruitment plans since October 2008. More than 65 percent indicated that the recent economic events did not change their intentions to train existing staff.

7/01/2009

Big rate cuts and the Federal Government's pre-Christmas splurge could not lift Australia's services sector from ongoing difficulties in December, a survey says. The Australian Industry Group-Commonwealth Bank performance services index, based on a poll of 200 firms, rose 1.5 points to 39.3 points in December. This was off November's record low 37.8 index points, with the pace of contraction in activity slowing. A reading below 50 points indicates activity is contracting. Only one of the nine service sectors had expanding activity in the December survey, health and community services, compared with none the previous month.

7/01/2009

Australians continue to buy more bicycles than cars with the economic downturn, health issues and climate change driving sales, the Cycling Promotion Fund says. Figures released today put total vehicle sales for 2008 at 1,012,64 while bike sales were 38 per cent higher at 1,401,675. The CPF said it was the ninth consecutive year demand for bikes had outstripped that for vehicles. "The economic downturn and the affordability of cycling is one of the key reasons for the continued surge in bicycle sales," CPF policy adviser Elliot Fishman said. "The sluggish economy, coupled with concern over climate change, health, congestion and petrol prices have strengthened interest in cycling as an option." Mr Fishman said Australians who bought bikes were also using them more regularly with census figures showing more people riding to work. He urged the Federal Government to consider boosting bicycle infrastructure, including bike lanes, as it looked to stimulate the economy. "Bicycle infrastructure provides a logical and affordable solution and will pay increasing dividends over time by lowering transport costs and greenhouse gas emissions," he said. "Helping to create bicycle-friendly cities is one of the most effective measures the federal government can take to help Australians fight climate change, the obesity epidemic, congestion and make our cities more liveable."

5/01/2009

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has announced a number of measures that will ensure the 2008-09 Skilled Migration Program is better targeted and more responsive to the changing needs of the economy. Employers are advised that employer sponsored visas are given priority. Further information is available below: Minister's media release Minister's ministerial statement Fact Sheet Frequently Asked QuestionsCritical Skills List

5/01/2009

Do you employ 30 people or more? If so, you will need to appoint and train a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator by 1 July 2009. Business SA is an approved WorkCover SA provider for Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator training and is conducting training programs commencing 17 February 2009. For further information please contact our Customer Service Centre on 8300 0103 or click here

5/01/2009

ONE of life's humble staples, toilet paper, is likely to cost more and, oddly enough, it's because of an anti-dumping investigation.The price of toilet paper is not generally top of mind, so most consumers would not have realised that cheap imports from China and India - most of them parcelled up into the Select brand for the Woolworths and Safeway supermarket chains - have been keeping their ablutionary costs down.The Home Affairs Minister, Bob Debus, has now accepted the results of a year-long Australian Customs Service investigation, which found that imported toilet papers are coming in at prices almost 40 per cent below "normal" and hurting local manufacturers.Two local makers, Kimberly-Clark Australia and SCA Hygiene Australasia, say that after Woolies awarded a tender in May 2006 to a local importer, Paper Force, their prices on supermarket shelves were undercut by up to 20 per cent.Woolworths declined to give Customs full details of its toilet paper tender arrangements and says the success of its brand reflects a superior product at an acceptable price.The retailer has also been under pressure from a campaign by the CFMEU over its sourcing of paper products from Asia Pulp and Paper, which the union says is a leading contributor to deforestation in Indonesia.Most of the toilet paper used by Woolworths comes from two APP plants, Gold Hong Ye Paper in China's Suzhou and PT Pindo Deli in Indonesia.A Woolworths spokeswoman said yesterday the toilet paper supply contract ended in August and a new one was being devised to include environmental sustainability specifications.Woolies' brand may have kept a lid on toilet paper prices but Kimberly-Clark and SCA, which have the lion's share of the toilet paper market, complain the imports are unfairly damaging their businesses because the prices at which they are being sold are below the costs of production - that is, dumping.Millions of dollars are at stake. In 2007 Australians spent $728 million buying 120,000 tonnes of toilet paper and the market has grown by 25 per cent in just four years.About two-thirds of toilet paper sold is premium grade - thicker and softer - and Woolies' brand grew from nothing to 6 per cent of the market in just two years. Kimberly-Clark and SCA are foreign-controlled but the anti-dumping investigation found they make enough of their toilet paper here to qualify as locals.Kimberly-Clark is better-known as the maker of Kleenex and Coles's own-brand in the premium market and Wondersoft in the mid-range. SCA makes Sorbent at the premium end and Purex in the mid-range.The customs investigation found that PT Pindo Deli's products are 33 per cent to 38 per cent below "normal" prices and Gold Hong Ye's between 5 per cent and 10 per cent below.Those companies, and other importers, have until late this month to appeal the decision before penalties are applied to the toilet paper they bring in.A spokesman for APP in Australia says it is likely it will appeal the decision.The dumping penalties mean it is likely that prices on supermarket shelves will rise.

5/01/2009

The Federal Government's new baby bonus means test will kick in on New Year's Day. From January 1, the bonus will only be available to families with a combined annual income of less than $150,000, saving the government around $350 million. The bonus will now be paid in fortnightly instalments, replacing the lump sum payment. The changes are among a number of federal changes to come into force on Thursday. In other changes, new federal-state funding arrangements come into force, to be backed up by legislation when parliament resumes. A new National Disability Agreement also comes into force, aimed at improving services for people with a disability, their families and carers. New child protection protocols will kick in, to allow for better information sharing between Centrelink and state and territory agencies. The government's national plan to increase organ donation will swing into action, and changes to evidence laws will better protect vulnerable witnesses such as children. Same-sex couples and their children will benefit from the end of discrimination in the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) safety nets. Maths and science university students will benefit from lower fees, but truckies will be slugged with an increase in the heavy vehicle road user tax.

5/01/2009

Australian jobs could be hit hard in 2009 by the continuing global financial crisis, Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard says. But Ms Gillard said the Government had taken action - including the $10.4 billion economic stimulus package and the bailout of the car industry - to help see Australia through the worst of the worldwide economic downturn. She said the Government had already forecast that unemployment would rise to five per cent by the middle of the year, and to 5.75 per cent by the end of the year. But she would not comment on predictions from some economists that the jobless rate could nearly double from 4.4 per cent to eight per cent, saying the Government's figures released in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook in November were the most up to date. "The economic security statement, the stimulus package, all about keeping the economy moving, keeping people employment," she said in an interview today. "The car industry package, the same. The investment in local governments, about local jobs. "And then of course we have got the big infrastructure investments as well as the COAG money flowing through. So it is all about keeping that economy moving, keeping people in work." But she said Australia could not be quarantined from the global financial crisis. "Now obviously the global financial crisis is feeding through, and it's feeding through into unemployment," she said. "The loss of any job is a huge problem for the individuals involved and what we do as the government, is be out there investing in jobs, protecting jobs, and helping people who lose their jobs in one part of the economy to get into the parts of the economy that are still growing." Opposition treasury spokeswoman Julie Bishop says the Government must update its forecast for unemployment in light of the predictions. "Today the Government has refused to refute these recent economic estimates of unemployment reaching eight per cent by 2010 - that's a million people unemployed, we haven't seen figures like that in a decade," Ms Bishop told Sky News. Melbourne Business School professor Mark Crosby says that unemployment could rise through 2009 towards eight per cent, taking the number of unemployed to more than 900,000. "Unemployment of eight per cent in 2010 is on the cards. It's quite likely," told The Australian on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Access Economics economist Chris Richardson said the economic situation was likely to worsen during the next 12 months and into 2010. "So far we've just seen sharemarkets halve, we've seen some sectors like retailers and car dealers hard hit, most people are still doing okay - 2009 will change that," he told ABC Radio. "This will be an ugly year. Growth will slow, income growth will slow a lot, unemployment will rise, profits will fall quite sharply." Mr Richardson said Australia's economy would fall into recession.

5/01/2009

The Australian economy is heading for a tough year in 2009, with policymakers hoping interest rates cuts and recent fiscal stimulus will help prevent a recession. Gloomy forecasts for global economic growth, further slides in resource prices and a rising jobless rate bode ill for the economy. Economists still forecast positive economic growth in Australia for 2009 - albeit at the slowest pace since the 1991 recession, excluding the introduction of the goods and services tax in 2000. But compared with the recessionary economies of the US, the eurozone and New Zealand, the Australian economy is in a far better position to ride out the buffeting headwinds of a global slowdown. The federal government and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) are providing "unprecedented stimulus" to the local economy as the world financial crisis hits global activity. RBC Capital Markets senior economist Su-Lin Ong said Australia's economy was heading into 2009 very differently to 12 months before, this time against an intensifying global recession. "We head into 2009 with a very soft pace of growth, potentially skirting quite close to recession," Ms Ong said. "What is clear is that the year (2008) started with a huge amount of momentum and that turned around very quickly mid-year. "It is going to make for a pretty challenging 2009." Gross domestic product (GDP) grew a meagre 0.1 per cent in the September quarter. It was the nation's slowest economic growth in eight years. The annual rate for GDP slowed to 1.9 per cent in the 12 months to September 30. Economists forecast Australia will record positive economic growth for the 18th consecutive year in 2009, albeit more languid than recent years. Ms Ong forecasts the national economy to grow at 1.4 per cent through 2009. "The 1.4 per cent is going to be the weakest pace of growth since the early 1990's recession," she said. ICAP senior economist Adam Carr is slightly more pessimistic in forecasting 1.2 per cent."That reflects a more sluggish first half in 2009," he said. Mr Carr said he expected 2.9 per cent growth in 2010 as the global economy recovered. Economic forecasts from global institutions were bleak for 2009. The World Bank downgraded its forecast in December for the global economy, with growth expected to be 2.5 per cent this year and 0.9 per cent in 2009, dragged down by most developed economies. Economic growth in China, Australia's second largest export market, would slow from double digits of the past half decade to a 19-year-low 7.5 per cent in 2009, the World Bank said. Japan, Australia's number one export destination, is another western industrial nation in recession. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said commodities prices were likely to plunge 23 per cent in 2009, ending a five-year boom and hurt Australia's income. Prices for nickel, zinc and copper have fallen by more than 50 per cent each since July as global demand, particularly China's, for these resources dwindled. Commonwealth Bank senior economist Michael Workman said the difficulty in obtaining credit would crimp activity, particularly in the mining and construction sectors during 2009. Non-farm GDP activity contracted 0.1 per cent in the September quarter, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said. "It is the availability of financing and generally the uncertainty on the mining side on whether you can sell your product or not," Mr Workman said. "That is probably looming as a big negative in terms of growth." Ms Ong said Australia's double digit growth in business investment during the past six years was over. "That has been fuelled, in particular, by mining and resources," she said. "That is completely off the table, given the moves in commodity prices and the tightening in credit conditions." NabCapital senior economist David de Garis said high interest rates were a major factor in the economic slowdown in the September quarter."The non-farm economy was essentially negative, which was due to tight monetary policy," he said. "That is being unwound." The RBA lifted the cash rate in February and March, to a 12-year-high of 7.25 per cent, in a bid to curb inflationary pressures. As well, the major banks raised their mortgage rates by an additional 0.55 percentage point to cover increased costs of funding. Headline inflation hit five per cent in the September quarter, above the central bank's target range of two to three per cent. In September, the RBA cut the cash rate for the first time in seven years by a modest 25 basis points as the board noted that demand growth was slowing. This was the entree to the RBA reversing its 12 rate rises between May 2002 and March 2008 in 13 weeks. After a full percentage point cut in October, followed by easings of 75 and 100 basis points in the final two meetings of 2008, the cash rate reached 4.25 per cent, equal with a low reached in 2001. Supporting confidence among businesses and households in a slowing economy was a major reason the RBA cut the rate by one percentage point in December, the minutes from RBA's monthly board meeting revealed. "In particular, a reduction of this size would move monetary policy quickly to an expansionary setting," the minutes from December 2 said. Mr de Garis expected the cash rate to fall further, from 4.25 per cent to three per cent in the first half of 2009. "Our current forecast is for the Reserve Bank to cut by 75 basis points in February, and another 50 points in March," he said. Home borrowers with an average $250,000 standard variable mortgage were $450 better off if they kept their loan repayments to a minimum since the rate cuts started in September. Households in the last four months of 2008 have had their disposable income boosted, with falling interest rates, possible handouts from the federal government's $10.4 billion fiscal package and lower fuel bills, Mr Workman said.CommSec senior economist Savanth Sebastian said the average Australian household was saving around $85 a month off their fuel bills before Christmas compared to mid-July when world oil prices peaked. Mr Carr said the fall in petrol prices resembled a tax cut. "That is a good little present for the Australian consumer," Mr Carr said. Mr Workman was hopeful the recent weakness in consumer sentiment surveys would improve due to cheaper petrol. "For most people that appears in people's pockets." How households react to the substantial rise in their disposable incomes was a great uncertainty for growth in 2009. Mr Workman said initial observations appeared to suggest consumers were saving instead of spending their spare cash. "There has been an extraordinary increase in deposit levels with most of the major banks about 40 per cent up on cash on a year ago," he said. A negative of a slowing economy was an higher unemployment rate, with economists forecasting at least a two per cent rise from November's 4.4 per cent. This forecast equates to an extra 240,000 Australians unable to find work. In February, the jobless rate touched 3.9 per cent, a 33-year low. "The rise maybe contained from four-and-a-half to six-and-a-half per cent in the second half of next year," Mr Workman said. He expected unemployment to reach near seven per cent in 2010. However, a rising jobless rate was not a hindrance to the economy, Mr Carr said. "A higher unemployment rate is no obstacle to modest economic growth," he said. "We will avoid a recession, and in the second half of '09 as the global economy turns around, growth prospects for Australia are pretty good." Mr De Garis said the intensity and duration of the global financial crisis had surprised many market observers. "Who could have predicted the global financial turbulence (and) the really outright liquidation in share markets we have seen around the world," he said. "Central banks and governments around the world have injected a lot of stimulus to the economy. "It is going to take time to flow through."

5/01/2009

Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Company Holdings Ltd and National Foods Ltd will team up to operate the cheese business of former NSW co-operative, Dairy Farmers. Their joint venture business, Australian Cheese Company Pty Ltd, will own and sell well-known cheese brands such as Coon and Cracker Barrel. In November, Dairy Farmers shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of a $910 million takeover bid by Japanese-owned National Foods. WCB, based in Allansford, Victoria, will pay National Foods $105 million for a half share of the joint venture and will manage the cheese manufacturing, cutting and wrapping operations of Australian Cheese. National Foods, owned by Japanese brewing giant Kirin, will provide sales, marketing and distribution and also supply milk to Australian cheese. National Foods owns the Pura Milk and Berri juice brands. WCB says it will employ the manufacturing workers from Dairy Farmers while National Foods will employ those who were in sales and marketing. "(The venture) will greatly increase the scale and diversity of our business, providing more stable retail earnings to complement our existing, largely bulk commodity business," WCB chief executive Neil Kearney said in a statement. Earlier this month, WCB reported that its 2009 earnings were likely to decline from the record levels of 2008 due to falling world dairy prices. The joint venture deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2009 and WCB's $105 million payment will be funded through debt and equity.

5/01/2009

Most households and small businesses will soon no longer need local council planning approval to fit solar panels.From 1st January 2009 South Australians installing an array of solar panels weighing less than 100 kilograms will no longer be required to apply to a local council for planning or building approval.For safety reasons, arrays weighing more than 100 kilograms will initially still require building approval before installation.State Government will soon begin consulting with relevant industry bodies on establishing a process to accredit tradespeople qualified to fit solar panels weighing more than 100 kilograms. Once this accreditation process is set up, in most circumstances people engaging one of these qualified tradespeople will no longer be required to apply for building approval.Exempting solar panels from the approvals process will remove a costly disincentive in both time and money to installing this energy saving technology.South Australia already has about 40% of the nation's grid-connected solar panels, and five times the number of household installations of the next highest state.By dramatically reducing the amount of red tape involved in fitting solar panels, the State Government hopes to further encourage this already nation leading rate of household installations.Exemption of solar panels from the planning approval system also provides further encouragement to South Australians to embrace renewable energy, building on the State's trailblazing electricity feed-in scheme.South Australia's feed-in scheme leads the nation on tackling climate change by paying people double the tariff for excess solar power they feed back into the electricity grid.Householders and small energy consumers using solar panels are currently being rewarded with a guaranteed credit of 44 cents for every unit of electricity, or kilowatt hour, fed back into the grid.The solar panel exemptions won't apply to historic conservation zones, where council approval will still be required to protect and preserve the character of these special areas.

5/01/2009

More than $9 billion in capital works projects will go ahead in South Australia, in spite of the impact of the global economic crisis on the State's Budget.However, some initiatives will be completed later to allow the cost of the projects to be spread across a broader time frame.Treasurer Kevin Foley has published the Mid Year Budget Review setting out in detail the impact the financial crisis has had on the State's Budget since it was handed down on 5 June.The Treasurer says the first priority is to guarantee the key infrastructure projects - the Adelaide desalination plant, the super schools and the Marjorie Jackson Nelson Hospital.The Adelaide desalination plant will be completed one year ahead of the original schedule, and when completed will drought-proof the city by delivering 25% of Adelaide's water needs by the end of 2010.

23/12/2008

The Migration for Business Growth program office will be closed from 11.00am Wednesday 24 December 2008 to Sunday 4 January 09.We will be back in office on Monday 5 January 09.Thank you for your support in 2008, and we look forward to a great 2009. We wish you have happy and safe festive season.Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Migration for Business Growth program

23/12/2008

South Australia Treasurer Kevin Foley said last Friday the state government has forecast net operating deficit of AUD$112 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 in its midyear budget review.The forecast deficit compares with a forecast surplus of AUD$160 million handed down in the original state budget in June this year.The government has forecast a defifit of AUD$81 million for 2009-10 and expects to move back into surplus thereafter with surpluses of AUD$107 million in 2010-11 and AUD$288 million in 2011-12.No Capital program is canceled and no taxes have been raised nor new taxes introduced to pay for the shortfall in revenue.The budget surplus for 2007-08 was revised to a record of AUD $464 million from a previous forecast of AUD$373 million.

19/12/2008

Treasurer Kevin Foley says no new taxes will be introduced, no taxes increased and no tax cuts scrapped as a result of the global financial crisis that has seen the State's Budget position deteriorate significantly.In the past two Budgets alone, the Government announced another series of payroll tax reforms worth more than $130 million when fully implemented in 2009-10. From 1 July 2009, the payroll tax will reduce to 4.95% and the threshold before a business becomes eligible to pay the tax will increase to $600,000. The State recorded a record surplus of $464 million in the final Budget outcome for 2007-08.Earlier this week the Treasurer explained that as a result of the financial crisis, the $160 million surplus forecast in the 2008-09 State Budget was gone as a result of the global financial crisis and that the Budget would record its first deficit since the Government came to office in 2002.Mr Foley says that unlike other jurisdictions, the Rann Labor Government will not respond by ramping up taxes.Mr Foley says he believes that ordinary South Australians are aware of the impact the global financial crisis is having on their lives and why in turn that has an impact on Government."As a result important revenue streams for the State have sharply slowed. The forecast for the GST as a result of the revised economic outlook is down cumulatively by $845 million over the forward estimates."Similarly State taxation has been hit. Stamp duty is a significant revenue source for the state. Reduced consumer activity and the impact of tighter credit conditions mean that the number and the total value of property transactions is lower than estimated in the 2008-09 Budget."Mr Foley says in common with New South Wales and Queensland, South Australia would be deferring the abolition of their remaining Inter Governmental Agreement tax reforms until 1 July 2012.These reforms relate to stamp duty on the transfer of shares in unlisted companies and trusts and the transfer of business assets like trading stock (other than land), machinery and goodwill.The revised timetable is consistent with the new Inter Governmental Agreement agreed in principle at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra in November.There is no change to the timetable for other IGA taxes. Mortgage and rental duty for example will be fully abolished in South Australia by 1 July 2009.The Victims of Crime Levy applied to expiation notices will also rise by $10 from $20 to $30 but all this money will go directly into the Victims of Crime fund and not into general revenue.

19/12/2008

Australia's quarantine inspection service is likely to be abolished under a major overhaul of the nation's biosecurity system following last year's equine influenza outbreak. An independent report recommends a new biosecurity system be set up at a cost of $260 million per year, to combat the growing threat of globalisation, climate change and the potential for agri-terrorism. Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the Government has given in-principle support to all 84 recommendations of the Beale report, "One Biosecurity: A Working Partnership", which he released in Sydney today. The report, by an expert panel chaired by Roger Beale, found that while Australia's quarantine system was good, it was far from perfect, as indicted by last year's equine influenza outbreak, which cost the racing industry upwards of $1 billion. One of the key recommendations of the Beale report is the establishment of a new national biosecurity authority, bringing together the functions of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Biosecurity Australia and parts of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The new body would effectively abolish AQIS, which has come under fire after the equine influenza outbreak. Other recommendations include creating a new Biosecurity Standards Commission to assess the risk of imports, the appointment of an inspector general of biosecurity and the introduction of new biosecurity legislation to replace the century-old Quarantine Act. The report has also called for greater involvement from the states, territories and industries in the country's biosecurity system. The new system would cost $260 million per year and an additional one-off figure of $225 million to upgrade IT and business systems, the Beale report found. Giving the Government's in-principle support for the recommendations, Mr Burke said interim administration arrangements would take effect from July 1.

18/12/2008

The Government is implementing a number of measures which will ensure the 2008-09 Skilled Migration Program is driven by the needs of industry and target skills in critical need across a number of sectors.The new measures will apply from 1 January 2009 and include:prrioritising and improving the processing of sponsored permanent migration visas, where skilled migrants are nominated by employers for jobs that cannot be filled locally;providing State and Territory Governments greater scope to address the critical skill needs in their jurisdiction. This reflects the different economies and skills requirements across State and Territories;giving priority to people who apply without a sponsor where they have an occupation on a list of skills in critical shortage; andretaining the existing 133,500 planning target as a cap, with the actual number of visas granted to be kept under review by the Government for the remainder of the 2008-09 year.As a result of these measures the 2008-09 Skilled Migration Program will be more targeted in delivering the skills needed in the economy, while increasing the number of visas granted to those already onshore and in jobs. Although the existing planning target reamins in place as a cap, the Government retains the ability to cap the program below that figure if necessary.A complete copy of this Ministerial Statement by Senator Chris Evans - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship can be accessed from http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2008/changes-to-2008-09-skilled-migration-program.pdf .

17/12/2008

16/12/2008 12:03:00 PM Wine harvests in the Murray Valley and Barossa regions took a battering during 2006/07 due to the drought and weaker prices, a new report says. The report, from the Australian Bureau of Agriculture Resource Economics, found that lower grape prices and yields contributed to weaker returns to Murray Valley growers. These growers produce 25 per cent of Australia's crushed grapes annually but made on average just $9000 profit each during that year, the report said. Barossa Valley grape growers, who produce five per cent of Australia's crushed grape yields, recorded average business losses of $29,000 a year. Despite the disparities, 30 per cent of Murray Valley growers surveyed at the time said they intended to leave the agriculture industry in five years. By comparison, three quarters of growers surveyed in the Barossa region expected to be in a "similar level of involvement" in the industry by 2013.

15/12/2008

The Citizenship Support Grants Program (CSGP) is a discretionary grant program that provides support for clients requiring assistance to prepare for the Australian citizenship test. In 2008-09 the program will be run as a pilot.Support services are available nationally from August 2008. Services will generally be provided in group classes. However, individual advice and assistance may also be available depending on the client's needs.The support services will include:a citizenship test kit (including the resource book Becoming an Australian Citizen) an explanation of some important parts of the Citizenship TestExamples:the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship Australian values traditions history national symbols a citizenship test tutorial advice on how the test works who can get an Assisted Test information and referrals to other services if required interpreting services to clients with low level of English language proficiency basic computer skills training for the test bookings for the citizenship test and advice on required documentation advice on the process for conferral of citizenship and citizenship ceremonies. Note: CSGP support services do not include child care, English language tuition or professional counselling.CSGP providers in South Australia are:LM Training Specialist P/L Level 7, Da Costa Building68 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 500008-8100 7200www.languagecentre.com.auTAFE SA English Language Services5th Floor Renaissance Centre127 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 500008-8226 6555www.els.sa.edu.au You can also telephone the Citizenship Information Line for more information about the CSGP, for the cost of a local call.Telephone: 131 880

15/12/2008

The framework for a national unit pricing scheme aimed at grocery shoppers will be unveiled early next year, the Federal Government says. Under the scheme, the price of goods will be displayed per unit of measure, such as gram, kilogram or litre. Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Bowen said Australia lagged behind other countries in the implementation of such a scheme, which he said would enable consumers to make fast and accurate comparisons on grocery products. Independent supermarkets have criticised the proposal, saying it would make it harder for them to compete against industry giants Coles and Woolworths.

15/12/2008

South Australia's labour market was proving resilient in the face of the global economic downturn, Employment Minister Paul Caica said today. The jobless rate in SA in November remained stable at 5.3 per cent despite an increase in the number of people looking for work. Figures showed there were 1000 more people employed last month taking total jobs to a record 785,900. Mr Caica said the fact that unemployment remained stable in November was encouraging. Although he conceded a downturn in the labour market was likely in the near future. "We must accept that South Australia is not immune from the effects of the global financial crisis and that forward indicators suggest that labour market activity in both South Australia and Australia will moderate over coming months," the minister said. Mr Caica said 95,500 new jobs had been created in SA since the Labor Government came to office in 2002. -- AAP

15/12/2008

The Government says the move is designed to encourage business confidence. The Federal Government is to give the country's 1.3 million small businesses a $440 million tax break in its and attempt keep the economy strong in the early months of next year. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will announce later today that businesses with an annual turnover under $2 million will be able to defer 20 per cent of their Pay As You Go (PAYG) tax instalment for the December quarter, due in January and February. The instalments are an estimate in advance of how much tax businesses are expecting to pay.Small business Minister Craig Emerson says if a company's profits are bigger than expected, they will pay the tax at the end of the financial year. "At the end of the financial year there will be a reconciliation so if their profits actually were up then they'd pay a bit more tax and if they were down they wouldn't," he told ABC 2 News Breakfast. "So the main benefit of it is that it's a $440 million boost to the cashflow of small businesses at a time when it's likely to be very useful."Mr Emerson says the move is designed to keep cash flowing and confidence strong in businesses after the Christmas spending period is over. "We're anticipating there could be some cash flow difficulties for small businesses around February, March," he said."If we can boost the cash flow of all businesses then that boosts their viability but also importantly improves the prospects of being able to retain the more than 3.5 million staff involved in these businesses." Figures released yesterday showed over 15,000 jobs were lost last month with the unemployment rate rising to 4.4 per cent.

15/12/2008

A generous round of interest rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of Australia since September has saved 350,000 households from mortgage stress, the nation's peak home building group says. The Housing Industry Association says 584,354 Australian households with a standard variable home loan were in mortgage stress in December compared with 934,502 in August before the rate cuts. In that time, mortgage stress rates have dropped to 21.1 per cent, from 31.8 per cent. Brisbane had the most dramatic reduction in mortgage stress, with the proportion of afflicted borrowers dropping to 13.4 per cent in December, from 32.7 per cent in August. The city also had the lowest mortgage stress rate of any state capital, lower than Adelaide (18.5 per cent), Melbourne (20.3 per cent) and Perth (22.1 per cent). - AAP

15/12/2008

The Federal Government is introducing a $4.7 billion nation building plan to combat the affects of the global financial crisis, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says. The latest injection of funds comes on top of its $10.4 billion economic stimulus package. Mr Rudd said the package announced on Friday was capable of creating 32,000 jobs. "This package will deal with critical infrastructure in transport, it deals with rail, it deals with roads, it also deals with education, it also deals with how we support private investment," he said. Mr Rudd said the Government will bring forward $711 million in spending in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 financial years to accelerate the commencement of 14 road projects. It will also double funding for the federal Black Spots program from $50 million to $110 million. "This effectively brings forward a total of $4.7 billion in the Auslink 11 program," Mr Rudd said. Mr Rudd said the Government would spend $1.2 billion on rail infrastructure, the largest single investment in rail in the history of the commonwealth. "For example, $580 million of today's investment will be used to expand capacity and rail corridors to service the Hunter, the Hunter Valley Coal mines, and of course their connection to the Port of Newcastle," he said. Mr Rudd said this investment would more than double the export capacity at Newcastle from 97 to 200 million tonnes of coal a year. Businesses with an annual turnover under $2 million will be allowed to postpone 20 per cent of their next Pay As You Go tax instalment until they make their annual return.The measure will help 1.3 million small businesses, Mr Rudd said. It would keep $440 million in their bank accounts instead of sending it to Treasury's coffers. The third component of the plan is a $1.6 billion investment in education. This is made up of 11 specific education research projects and $1 billion will be directed towards the immediate capital needs of universities and TAFE colleges to deal with additional teaching and learning. The Government will provide a 10 per cent temporary investment allowance to encourage businesses to undertake immediate capital investments. Taking effect immediately, it will apply for 12 months after capital acquisitions of more than $10,000 have been made. Businesses will be required to deploy the projects within 12 months of making the applications, which must be lodged before the middle of next year. Mr Rudd said it was a significant slice of money for a temporary measure. "We want to go out there and say to people... private capital investment is so important... and here is an effort on the Government's hand to making critical infrastructure decisions." Mr Rudd said the plan was developed in close consultation with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

10/12/2008

The Federal Government will spend $45.6 million on a bid to bring the soccer World Cup to Australia in 2018. The commonwealth says the money will be spent over three years in an effort to bring the world's biggest sporting even down-under. "Today's announcement sends a clear message to the football world that Australia is serious about hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in a joint statement with Sports Minister Kate Ellis and Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson. The Government will work in partnership with the Football Federation Australia and state and territory governments in a united approach to building the strongest bid possible for the 2018 event, they said. The FFA will formally lodge the Australian bid by the end of 2010 with a decision regarding who will host the 2018 world cup expected to be made in 2011.

10/12/2008

Earnings from energy and mineral resources increased by 22 per cent to a record $42.6 million in the September quarter, according to the nation's commodity forecaster. Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics show the index of energy and mineral export prices increased by 20 per cent in the quarter. The energy export price index increased by 28 per cent over the same period, the figures show. The index of prices for metals and related minerals rose by 13 per cent, due to higher contract prices for iron ore. -- AAP

10/12/2008

The Federal Government is determined to overhaul the tax system to make it simpler, globally competitive and rewarding of hard work, Treasurer Wayne Swan says. He welcomed the release today of consultation papers by the head of the tax review Dr Ken Henry, who is the Federal Treasury chief. The review, which has until late next year to report to government, has received 500 formal submissions and 260 pieces of correspondence so far. -- AAP

10/12/2008

Celebrate an Australian Christmas this summer holiday, with one of the many joyful family events taking place around South Australia. Christmas Twilight Races 2008Cost: Adult $15.00, concession $7.50, children under 18 freeVenue: Allan Scott Park, Morphettville SA 5043Date: Fri 12 Dec 08Time: 3 pm to lateThe South Australian Jockey Club's Christmas Twilight fixtures at Allan Scott Park, Morphettville have become the place to host your Christmas party - why not celebrate the festive season trackside. Renowned for its superb atmosphere and festive cheer, this event has become Adelaide's most popular Christmas show. Spirit FestivalCost: FreeVenue: Elder Park. King William Road, Adelaide 5000Date: 13-14 Dec 08Time: Starts at 11.00amThe Spirit Festival seeks to bring more positive visibility to Aboriginal people in South Australia. Over this weekend, local and national artists will converge on Elder Park in a showcase of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture. You can take part in a celebration of traditional and contemporary art, dance, music, food, film and theatre. Lights of Lobethal Festival 2008Entry: FreeVenue: Main Street. Lobethal SA 5241Date: Sunday 14 Dec 08 - Wed 31 Dec 08Time: 7.00pm - 11.00pmThe Lights of Lobethal offer the largest community Christmas light display in the Southern Hemisphere. It's a valued local tradition that has continued for more than 60 years. You can see hundreds of homes and businesses lit up to spread Christmas joy, and also wander through friendly twilight markets.The Lights of Lobethal also has supporting attractions such as: A Living Nativity (performing twice each night), a Christmas Tree Festival (featuring trees decorated by local groups, school children and individuals), a Christmas Pageant (23 December) and on opening night Carols in the Valley (7pm) is followed by the Opening Ceremony (8pm) and a fireworks display (9pm). Semaphore Summer Carnival 2008 Entry is free, but there is a cost for amusement rides and games Venue: Semaphore Foreshore, Corner Esplanade and Semaphore Road, Semaphore SA 5019Date: 13 Dec 08 - 26 Jan 08Time: Open daily from 11.00am, closed Christmas Day Enjoy summer holiday fun in the sun with the whole family at the Semaphore Summer Carnival. Come and try a great variety of thrill rides, children's rides, while enjoying the great beach atmosphere and all Semaphore has to offer. There will be free fireworks displays on New Year's Eve (31 December) at midnight and on Australia Day (26 January) at 9.30pm. Carols By CandlelightEntry: Adult $10Venue: Elder Park, King William Road, Adelaide 5000Date: Sunday 21 Dec 2008Christmas is a time of tradition, and Carols by Candlelight is certainly one of Adelaide's favourite annual traditions. Make sure you come along to Elder Park and enjoy the festivities. Features include a Christmas concert with entertainment for the whole family, headlined by outstanding Australian acts including this year singer Rachael Beck, plus a special appearance by Father Christmas and a spectacular fireworks finale. Christmas Riverbank Display 2008Entry: FreeVenue: Adam Street, Hindmarsh, SA 5037Date: 22 Nov 08 - Wednesday 31 Dec 2008Time: 11.00am to midnightSince 1959, the Christmas Riverbank Display has appeared on the banks of the River Torrens at SA Brewing's side door. As an additional attraction, each Christmas the area is adorned by an attractive display of Christmas Decorations. Boxing Day Family Fun Day 2008 Cost: Adult $15.00, concession $7.50, family $20, children under 18 freeVenue: Cheltenham Park Racecourse, Cheltenham SA 5014Date: 26 Dec 08As the name suggests, this popular race day at Cheltenham Park Racecourse is full of fun things for children: rides, face painters, clowns, entertainers, free giveaways and a kids' band. Big names like Bart Simpson, Bob the Builder and Freddo Frog have performed in previous years, much to the delight of their captivated audiences. It's a blast for the kids, and a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and family you couldn't see on Christmas Day. And, of course, there's a full programme of racing to enjoy. It's family playtime trackside. 2 Jetties Fun Run Location: Glenelg Jetty Date: 26 Dec 2008Time: 9.00am - 11.30amA fun run on the beach from Glenelg Jetty to Brighton Jetty and back. Starting at 9.00am for walkers and 9.30am for runners. This event is part of the Bay Sports Festival. Bay Sheffield Location: Colley Reserve. Glenelg SA 5045Date & Time: 27 Dec 2008: 12-5 pm. 28 Dec 2008: 2-9pmA South Australian icon, and among the top two events of it's kind in Australia, the Bay Sheffield footrace celebrates its 120th running at Glenelg this year. While the event peaks with a 10 second, 100m dash, the Bay Sheffield Carnival is a spectacular two-day event that everyone can watch and enjoy! Adelaide New Years Eve CelebrationsVenue: Elder Park, Adelaide SA 5000Cost: FreeDate: 31 Dec 2008 Adelaide New Years Eve, fireworks 8pm to Midnight Glenelg New Years Eve CelebrationsVenue: Moseley Square & Glenelg Foreshore & Brighton Jetty, Brighton SACost: FreeDate: 31 Dec 2008 At Glenelg: Live bands - from 8.30pm - 12.30am on the Glenelg foreshore. Fireworks from Glenelg Jetty at midnight.At Brighton: Family fireworks from Brighton Jetty at 9.30pm.

8/12/2008

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures out today show South Australia's GSP (Gross State Product) increased by 3.8% in 2007-08.The figure placed the State third behind Queensland (5.3%) and Western Australia (5.2%).Agriculture, fishing and forestry recorded strong growth of 43% in 2007-08, contributing significantly to the GSP growth.Other industries making strong contributions were property and business services, finance and insurance, and health and community services.Manufacturing output declined 1.9% but remains the largest industry in South Australia with 13.6% of GSP share.

8/12/2008

Almost half a million South Australians will get at least $1000 each from today in the Federal Government's $10.4 billion Economic Security Strategy announced in October this year.A total fo $633 million in Economic Security Strategy payments will start flowing into the bank accounts of SA families, pensioners, seniors and carers.Payments will be made by Centrelink automatically to the recipients' bank accounts.Retailers are expected to benefit from the cash windfall, which totals $8.7 billion nationally and will be paid into bank accounts over the next two weeks.

8/12/2008

Thanks to The Advertiser for highlighting the issue of unpaid trial or probationary work. This is an illegal practice that unforunately affects many people as they enter the workforce at this time of year.Most employers do the right thing. However, we are aware that some workers are doing so-called trial work or probationary work without being paid.Any period of trial/probation should be determined prior to the employee commencing employment and the employee must be paid for all hours worked.Employers can be prosecuted and face penalties (of up to $2500 in relation to each occasion that an employee is not paid) for failing to pay or under-paying employees. Such employers will also be required to pay the employee.SafeWork SA has provided information on this topic to schools, TAFEs, universities, unions, relevant industry and employer groups and backpacker hostels. We are also providing education sessions for TAFE students in the new year.For more information on award pay rates or assistance with employment issues such as work experience or paid trial/probationary periods, call the SafeWork SA Help and Early Intervention Centre (HEIC) on 1300 365 255.Our dedicated service deals with these issues immediately and provideds access to accredited industrial relations inspectors who follow up on such matters within the workplace.Accordingly, I invites Ms Trudi Johns (The Advertiser, 4/12/08) to contact SafeWork SA directly on this issue so that we can investigate her query.Anyone entering the workforce shoulde to wary of any offer of unpaid trial or probationary work, even if it seems like a good idea.Unless it is a legitimate, structured education program of work experience, organised through your school. TAFE or university, you should be paid.Michele PattersonExecutive Director, SafeWork SA

8/12/2008

A surge in breaches of the Workplace Relations Act by South Australian employers led to recovery of $2 million in unpaid wages for workers last financial year.The federal Workplace Ombudsman's annual report shows breaches in SA increased almost five-fold from 235 in 2006-07 to 1138 last financial year.Claims by employees rose from 1045 to 1509 over the same period.The worst offending workplaces or industries were, in order, cafes and restaurants, security, road freight transport, hotels and bars and cleaning.The Ombudsman returned $2 million in unpaid wages and entitlements, such as holiday leave - compared with $737,000 the previous year.The Workplace Ombudsman's office state director Steve Ronson attributed the rise to increased public awareness."More people are becoming aware of who we are (and) what we're doing and are more aware of their rights" he said.The office now conducts one compliance audit for every five claims it investigates.Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said most employers did the right thing.But he reminded all bosses they "have got to, must do and are required to" pay employees properly."In most cases it will be underpayment not done for underhanded reasons but just through ignorance," he said.Mr Vaughan predicted a similarly high number of breaches and complaints next year as a result of confusion over the introduction of the Rudd Government's new workplace laws.Nationally, the Workplace Ombudsman recovered more than $36.6 million for almost 28,000 Australian workers, up from $13.4 million from the previous year.The ombudsman initiated legal action in a record 67 matters in 2007-08 - up 26 per cent - and 53 have been finalised.Penalties awarded by courts against employers presecuted by the Workplace Ombudsman in 2007-08, totalled $1.6 million - up more than 400 per cent.

5/12/2008

Today's building approval and export figures show South Australia is in a good position for the New Year, according to the State's leading business organisation, Business SA.Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate South Australia bucked the trend for private building approvals whilist national figures showed a decline in October. Approvals for private housing in South Australia increased 2.9 per cent, whilst national figures decreased 11.4 per cent.Total building approval figures for South Australia have decreased by a seasonally adjusted 16 per cent in October, indicating that the volatile economic conditions are showing some effect.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said that building approval figures indicated that further interest rate cuts in the New Year would be required."An increase in assistance to first home buyers along with interest rate cuts will help restore construction confidence nationally," Mr Vaughan said."These two factors combined will help to continue growth in the South Australian private building sector."International trde figures released today indicate an increase in exports and imports for South Australia in October.South Australian imports increased 2.5 per cent in October, against the national trend, whilst export also increased by 2.7 per cent.The national surplus on goods and services for October was $1.9 billion (seasonally adjusted), from a revised $1.5 billion surplus in September."Exports have increased mainly due to the falling Australian dollar," Mr Vaughan said."It is positive to see South Australia bucked the national trend with a 2.5 per cent increase in imports.""However, we may see the value of future exports decrease due to weakening commodity prices.'Almost 60 per cent of participants in The Commonwealth Bank Business SA Survey of Business Expectations expect export sales to be stagnant in the last quarter of 2008, mainly due to uncertainties surrounding the value of the Australian dollar.

5/12/2008

Business Indicator figures fro the September quarter, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, shows gross profits in Australia rose 5.2 percent, wages and salaries increased by 1.4 percent. Whilst Mining had the largest increase in sales of goods and services, other goods and services were either stagnant or saw a decrease.South Australia experienced a 0.6 percent increase in sales of goods and services but saw a wage decrease of 1.7 percent in the September quarter.Business SA Chief Executive Officer, Peter Vaughan, said the increase in sales of goods and services was mainly due to the Mining sector."High commodity prices and the low Australian dollar contributed to an increase in sales of goods and services in South Australia," said Mr Vaughan."Any fall in interest rates tomorrow, and the Federal government's $10.4 billion spending package may result in higher sales and help businesses gain further confidence in the next quarter.""Nationally we saw an increase in wage and salaries, which confirm the significance of the skills shortage across the nation."With Christmas around the corner, we expect the economy to benefit from an expected increase on spending in the traditionally busy holiday period."

4/12/2008

Monthly building approvals have dropped to a seven-year low with further rate cuts needed to boost demand in a sluggish economy, economists say. Building approvals fell by 5.4 per cent to 10,730 units, seasonally adjusted, in October, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said today. It was the fourth-straight monthly fall and the lowest points since April 2001. -- AAP

3/12/2008

The population of South Australia has reached a new high according to official figures published today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.The State's Estimated Resident Population now stands at 1,601,821 as at 30 June 2008, up 17,600 (1.1 per cent).Overseas migration is the largest contribution to South Australia's population growth over the past twelve months a net 14,186 people to our ranks - 7.9% higher than in the previous 12 months.Natural population increase has also added 7,793 people to the State's numbers in the year up to 30 June 2008 - a 16% increase on the previous 12 months.There was a net outflow of 4355 people to other States.

3/12/2008

Winemakers are holding more stock than their local and overseas customers can drink. That's because wine production was up during 2007-8, but sales were down. Australia produced 1.2 billion litres of wine during that period - up nearly a quarter on the year before - from a total grape harvest of 1.8 million tonnes. Drinkers, though, were tippling less as domestic sales dropped by 5 per cent to 426 million litres and exports fell 9 per cent to 715 million litres. The result was that winemakers' inventories rose 5 per cent to 1.9 billion litres, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found. Red and rose wines made up nearly two-thirds of the stock. -- AAP

2/12/2008

Australia's population is growing at its fastest rate in nearly 20 years, with immigration the main driver. The number of people living in Australia, as of June 30 this year, was 21.374 million, up 359,000 on the previous year. The 1.7 per cent growth rate is the highest since 1989, the nation's statistician says. Net overseas migration of 213,500 people accounted for 59 per cent of the growth. The natural increase, that is births outnumbering deaths, was 145,500 people. Australia's fertility rate has increased to 1.93 births per woman, the highest rate since 1981. The death rate was 6.03 deaths per 1000 people, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.-- AAP

2/12/2008

The Reserve Bank of Australia has slashed the official cash rate by 100 basis points to a seven-year low of 4.25 per cent following today's monthly board meeting. The fourth rate cut in as many months means that homeowners will save around $193 a month in repayments on an average mortgage of $300,000, should the retail banks pass on the reduction in full. Economists had generally tipped a 75 basis-point reduction by the central bank. The Reserve Bank has lowered the cash rate by a savage 300 basis points since September as it tries to prevent the economy from being sucked into a global recession. RBA governor Glenn Stevens said that while the Australian economy had been more resilient to the global economic downturn than other advanced economies, recent data indicated a significant moderation in demand and activity had occurred. "With confidence affected by the financial turbulence and a decline in the terms of trade now under way, more cautious behaviour by both households and businesses is likely to see private demand remain subdued in the near term," Mr Stevens said in a statement. He expects inflation will soon start to fall. "Weighing up the international and domestic developments of recent months, the board judged that a further significant reduction in the cash rate was warranted now, to take monetary policy to an expansionary setting," he said.-- AAP

2/12/2008

The home building sector will not gain the full benefit of falling interest rates and a tripling of grants for first home buyers unless more land is released, a new report says. Land values have soared in recent years in the face of restrictive land release polices and burgeoning planning delays, jumping 106 per cent in the past six years. The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to make another large cut to the official cash rate when its board meets tomorrow. Official rates have so far dropped 200 basis points in the past three months, a large part of which has been passed on to mortgage rates. At the same time, the Federal Government has doubled the first-home-owner grant for purchases of existing properties to $14,000, and tripled it to $21,000 for new homes, as part of its $10.4 billion economic stimulus package. -- AAP

19/11/2008

Business SA has been advised that the Workplace Ombudsman is targeting the Food Services Industry as part of an education and compliance campaign.The areas of food services targeted include:> Retail butchers, bakers, fish / seafood, poultry, smallgoods/grocers> Coffee shops, takeaway foods and salad bars> Dairy manufacturersThe Workplace Ombudsman has started to distribute information to all employers to raise the awareness of rights and obligation under federal law. In December, the Workplace Ombudsman will begin to target a number of employers and conduct a compliance audit. Specifically, workplace inspectors will audit compliance with pay slips and time and wages record-keeping.Other key areas that will be audited include:> Rates of pay (including casual rates and minimum rates> Penalty loadings (weekend, late nights)> Allowances> Meal breaks> Approval and lodgement of workplace agreements.Businesses could be liable for a $33,000 penalty if the Workplace Ombudsman finds that a company has failed to meet employee's entitlements under the Federal Awards or Notional agreements preserving State Awards. The Business SA Consulting Team provides a fee for service to businesses to assist them in complying with legislative obligations Business SA consultants are already supporting many members who are facing audits from the Workplace Ombudsman and ensuring that they meet their obligations

19/11/2008

Enterprise Adelaide invites you to attend their Wednesday Forum on the 26 November 2008. Two small business specialists will talk about how survive in business in the midst of an economic downturn. Hear their strategies for uncertain economic times, how to stay ahead of the pack, identify new trends and increase profits.Business Survival in 2009 5 key strategies for success in an uncertain economyby George Pantahos, Director George Pantahos & Co - Chartered Accountants and Business Consultants George Pantahos founded his business consultancy practice in 1983. In that time he has built a substantial reputation as a business advisor and consultant amongst the firm's clients and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise over a wide industry base. Brand building during tough economic timesby Philip Martin, Managing Director, Michels Warren - PR SpecialistsPhilip Martin's works with clients in health, defence, finance and urban renewal sectors, among others. He has won PR awards for marketing communication, corporate communication and issues management. Prior to working in public relations, Phil spent more than 12 years as a journalist for a number of media organisations in Australia and overseas. Date: Wednesday 26 November 2008Time: 5:30pm to 7.00pm (networking, tea & coffee from 5:30pm to 6:00pm)Venue: Old Methodist Meeting Hall, 25 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000Cost: FREERegister Online: http://mybookingmanager.com/wedf26112008 For more information about the Enterprise Adelaide visit www.enterpriseadelaide.com.au or call (08) 8203 7815

30/10/2008

The Barossa has been named one of the world's top-10 wine destinations by the world's largest online travel community, TripAdvisor.The iconic South Australian wine region was the only Australian destination to make it onto the prestigious list, alongside European regions such as Bordeaux and Tuscany.Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the listing is significant because it was based not just on TripAdvisor editors' opinions, but also on the Barossa's popularity with travellers."The TripAdvisor website is home to more than 15 million reviews of holiday destinations and products written by real travellers who want to share their experiences with others," she says."South Australia, and in particular the Barossa, is obviously being highly praised by those who have visited here for a holiday."The Internet is the place where more and more travellers are researching their holidays, and its importance as a tool to spread the word about visiting South Australia cannot be underestimated."In its list of the world's top-10 wine destinations, TripAdvisor praised the Barossa as:"this scenic region in Southern Australia (which) is highly regarded for its Shiraz and its other robust varieties of red wine. Characterized by its visibly rich German heritage, along with its rolling, vine-covered hills, Barossa Valley is a uniquely beautiful destination for sightseers and wine connoisseurs alike."During the year to June 2008, 195,000 visitors spent 581,000 nights in the Barossa, while 785,000 domestic day-trippers also visited the region during the same period."Being named as one of the world's top-10 wine destinations shows just how marketable the region is as a tourist destination," Minister Lomax-Smith says.

8/10/2008

Business SA is launching a new membership group for women who want to target the global market, or who run an importing or exporting business.The Women of the World program will host networking workshops and trade missions to help SA businesswomen develop their companies on the international stage.The group's first event will be held at the Department of Trade and Economic Development's Global Horizons Conference on October 20.A panel of five SA business women - Wendy Kennedy, Irena Zhang, Christine Cromarty, Pat Moessinger and Larissa Vakulina - will discuss importing and exporting issues.To find our more about the conference visit www.southaustralia.biz/globalhorizons . To attend the networking event call 8300 0087 by October 13th. This article by Francis Stewart appeared in the Adelaide Advertiser, Tuesday 7th October, pg 33 .

2/10/2008

The Brew Small Business Expo28 Oct 2008Ridley Centre, Adelaide ShowgroundsBusiness SA is proud to announce its sponsorship of The Brew Business to Business trade show, which is taking place during Small Business Month in October. On the 27 and 28 October, over 50 exhibitors will be showcasing their products together with 30 seminars, workshops and panel presentations. As part of the seminar agenda, Business SA will be running two seminars, one on Small business sustainability, the other on New workers compensation laws - is your business compliant. The aim of the event is to provide small business owners with information and inspiration to run their business. The expo is also a great opportunity to network and market your business. Want to get involved? As an exhibitorExhibition space is currently available. For less than $1,000 exhibitors will receive their expo booth, promotion on the expo web-site, invitations to attend a B2B marketing seminar before the event, a listing in the expo guide and the opportunity to network with hundreds of new customers who will attend the event. As an attendee Entry to the event is free, bookings are not open until mid September, but you can register your interest now.To find out more about this event please visit The Brew Small Business Expo websiteor call Migration for Business Growth on 08 8300 0013.

2/10/2008

This CPA Australia checklist outlines the strategic, financial and operational tasks that all small businesses should undertake throughout the year to avoid the end-of-financial-year 'flapping' around.

11/09/2008

Two hundred Chinese business migrants and South Australian business people kicked off celebrations for the 2008 Moon Festival at the Migration for Business Growth dinner on Sunday September 7th. 9月7日晚，200位商业移民及南澳商人参加了移民-促进产业增长项目举办的2008 中秋晚宴，庆祝中秋节。The evening at T Chow restaurant began with a traditional lion dance and was hosted by joint MC's - politician Jing Lee and Peter Yang, Committee member of the Chinatown Association. 晚宴，舞狮开场，由华人政客李菁璇女士同唐人街协会理事杨刘立先生主持。Entertainment included singers who serenaded guests with moon related songs and a quiz on Chinese and Australian culture, sport and history, that had everybody guessing!娱乐节目有歌手演唱与月亮相关的歌曲，还有让每个人都发挥聪明才智的关中国和澳大利亚文化、体育及历史的有奖问答。Kangaroo Paw Olive Oil presented each business migrant family with a beautiful gift bottle of their export quality olive oil. Guests also had the chance to win table and lucky draw prizes from Rymill wines, Lexus of Adelaide and Craigburn wines as well as beautifully boxed gift sets of premium quality Moon Cakes.Kangaroo Paw 橄榄油公司为每个商业移民家庭赠送了一瓶精美的橄榄油。参加者还有机会赢取桌位奖和幸运抽奖，奖品有Rymill 酒业、Craigburn 酒业提供的葡萄酒、阿德雷德凌志公司提供的纪念品及主办方提供的精致月饼。Speaker Penny Gale, General Manager International Business and Policy - Business SA, spoke of the importance of business migrants to South Australia's future economic growth. Sherrie Gaskin, Manager Business Migration - Immigration SA, also spoke about the value of business migration and of the SA Premier's upcoming trade mission to China.南澳工商总会-政策及国际经济部经理 Penny Gale 女士的讲话认可了商业移民对南澳州未来经济发展的重要性。南澳州政府移民事务处-商业移民经理 Sherrie Gaskin 女士的讲话也对商业移民做出了很高的评价，同时还介绍了州长即将赴中国访问信息。The evening was a great success with lots of networking between business migrants and the other local business people. 这是一次很成功的活动，商业移民同本地商业人士获得了一个很好的交流机会。Click Here to see photos from the night 在此察看晚宴照片

5/08/2008

南澳工商总会及南澳州政府移民事务处（贸易与经济发展部）共同邀请您与我们及商业移民同仁一起庆祝2008年中秋节。 Business SA and Immigration SA (Department of Trade and Economic Development) cordially invite you to join us to celebrate the 2008 Moon Festival and to network with your fellow business migrants.日期：周日， 2008年9月7日When: Sunday 7 September 2008地点：唐人街，潮州酒楼Where: T-Chow Restaurant, Chinatown, Adelaide时间：下午5.30入场，6.00开始Time: 5.30pm for 6.00pm start票价：$35 (含晚餐，非酒精饮料，娱乐节目及幸运抽奖）Cost: $35 (includes Chinese banquet, non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment & lucky draws)订票：座位有限，持票入场。请填好订票表格，尽快与Laura 联系。RSVP: Seats are limited and entry is by ticket only. Please fill in the attached ticket form and RSVP to Laura.电话 Phone：(08)8300 0013 (可用中文或英文留言)邮箱 email：lauraj@business-sa.com

3/06/2008

Migration for Business Growth is planning a new course to be presented by Tafe SA on Legal Issues for Business Owners. This is different from our usual courses as it is 20 hours over 5 weeks and there is a cost involved. Please see the attached information sheets.We need YOUR feedback as to whether you want this kind of course. Please look at the attached information and ring us on 8300 0013 if you are interested. There is notobligation - we just want to know if this kind of course would interest you!

22/05/2008

The Better Business Series is delivered by the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) free of charge to help existing small businesses achieve successful growth and profitability.Incorporating three-hour workshops on a range of topics, this series is a valuable source of information and insight provided by experienced business operators.Small business operators should register now for June's series of Better Business Series workshops. Click here for more information.Contact Better Business Series Workshops or 08 8303 2469 if you need assistance.

22/05/2008

Business migrants rapidly bring economic benefits to the state, a survey for Business SA has found.The survey of participants in the Migration for Business Growth program confirmed the contributions being made to the state, Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said. "Results from the survey indicate that 97% of business migrants have their own business, including 70 per cent who have established a new business," he said. "Migrants contribute to the economy through exports, investment, creation of employment and other business-development activities."The Migration for Business Growth program is run by Business SA, and aims to connect migrants with the business sector via initiatives such as business matching, networking and cross-cultural business issues.An independent consultant was commissioned to evaluate the program, and in early April surveyed participants about how it was working and what additional features would be helpful.Among participants were Jing Gao, her husband Lei Mu and son Yanhua Mu, 11, who moved to Adelaide from China two years ago to establish wine export and real estate businesses. The family first thought about moving to Adelaide after speaking with relatives and friends studying at SA universities. She said Business SA's program had helped the family develop local contacts."We are not familiar with the local business environment," Jing Gao said. "Whenever we had problems, this program has helped us with information.While nearly all participants were happy with the program, they called for more networking events. The migrants wanted to meet more SA business operators with opportunities, and to hear the stories of fellow migrants who had successfully established a business and gained permanent residence.The survey's finding come as the Federal Government announced last week that the intake of migrants would be increased to 300,000 a year, 70 per cent of whom would be skilled migrants.Mr Vaughan said skilled migrants were essential to ensuring SA's ongoing prosperity."We need to address our population crisis by attracting more people to this state. Business migrants are making an important contribution," he said. Adelaide Advertiser20/05/08Page 33 - Business Journal

14/05/2008

在近期陆克文（Kevin Rudd）政府的预算案中，公布了将增加30%技术移民吸纳, 相当于31，000名额。这是自1947年以来最大的增幅，希望能够减轻澳大利亚劳动力紧缺及帮助减缓通货膨胀。如果，您有关于技术移民的问题，请联系 John Haren 8300 0084。

14/05/2008

为了方便浏览者就移民-促进产业增长网站上的生意机会进行近一步问询，我们对现有的生意机会问询方式作了改动。现在，您无需登录您的个人账户即可对感兴趣生意机会进行近一步问询。只需 1. 点击“To Contact This Business Send An Inquiry Email” 按钮， 2. 填写您的名字，电话及邮箱地址， 3. 点击“SEND MESSAGE” 将信息发送即可。这样，生意机会的所有者会通过邮件或电话为您提供更详细的信息。若使用过程中有任何困难，请致电8300 0013。

14/05/2008

The Rudd Government announced a 30% increase in skilled migration places in the recent budget, adding an extra 31,000 places a year. This is the biggest increase since managed migration began in 1947 and is designed to ease Australia's labour shortages and help fight inflation. Contact John Haren on 08 8300 0084 with your skilled migration enquiries.

14/05/2008

We have updated the Migration for Business Growth website so it is easier for users to send a business enquiry email. Now you can go straight into 'business opportunities', do a business search and send an enquiry email - all without having to log in as a member. This makes it quicker and easier for users to contact business owners. Why don't you go and try it out yourself now!

30/04/2008

An independent committee of seven eminent Australians will review the citizenship test, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced today.Former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Richard Woolcott AC will chair the Citizenship Test Review Committee, which will examine the operation and effectiveness of the test since its introduction on 1 October last year.'The Government is committed to maintaining the citizenship test, but now that it has been in place for six months, it is timely to review it to make sure it is achieving its proper purpose as an effective pathway for residents to become citizens,' Senator Evans said.'The committee will examine aspects of the content and operation of the citizenship test, including the experiences of applicants and the impact on citizenship applications, and consider ways to improve its operation and effectiveness.'The committee will be chaired by Mr Woolcott AC, a former diplomat with a long and distinguished public service career and an excellent ambassador for multicultural relations.'The six other members appointed to the independent committee are former Olympian Rechelle Hawkes; SBS director Paula Masselos; refugee advocate Julianna Nkrumah; Australia Day Council CEO Warren Pearson; former Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Rtd Chris Ritchie AO RANR; and legal expert Professor Kim Rubenstein.'The committee will consult actively with the Australian community to ensure views from the public are heard and considered, so I urge people to take the opportunity to provide feedback,' Senator Evans said. 'It is important to Government that stakeholders and interested members of the public are given the opportunity to contribute to the development of future policy directions regarding the citizenship test.'The Rudd Government believes that a citizenship test can play a valuable role in both encouraging people to find out more about our great nation as well as understanding the responsibilities and privileges which being an Australian citizen brings.'A test is also a useful mechanism for determining whether a person meets the general legal requirements for becoming an Australian - including whether they possess a basic knowledge of the English language.'The committee began work on the review today (28 April) and is due to report back to the Minister by mid year. Further information is available at http://www.citizenshiptestreview.gov.au/ or by writing to the Citizenship Testing Review Committee, PO Box 1179, Belconnen ACT 2616.

13/03/2008

Now you can download copies of the presententations shown at our recent information sessions. Just click on the links below. How to Start a Business - http://businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/48/how_to_2008.ppt How to Buy a Business - http://businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/41/Buying_a_Business.pdf Thinking About Exporting to China?Trade finance presentation from HSBC - http://businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/50/HSBCTradePresentation_06032008.ppt Austrade presentation part 1 - http://businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/51/Austrade_Presentation_Part_1.pdf Austrade presentations part 2 - http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/52/Austrade_Presentation_Part_2.pdfAustrade presentations part 3 - http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/53/Austrade_Presentation_Part_3.pdfAustrade presentations part 4 - http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/53/Austrade_Presentation_Part_3.pdfAustrade presentations part 5 - http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/56/Austrade_Presentation_Part_5.pdfAustrade presentations part 6 - http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/attachments/56/Austrade_Presentation_Part_5.pdfFreight-Biz International notes - coming soon Fundamentals of Income Tax - coming soonTaxation - Employer's obligations - coming soon

11/03/2008

The Acelin Institute and the Government of South Australia are running a free Safework Management course. It aims to help Chinese small business owners to increase the standard of occupational health and safety at their workplaces. For registration details call Michael Lin on 8212 084 or 0423 522 837.

27/11/2007

11月16日的‘雇主权利和义务信息讲座’提供了很多作为雇主须知的事宜。参加此次讲座的移民都受益非浅。会后，很多人想了解更多的信息，尤其是中文的信息。现在，你可你通过以下方式，获得相关信息：11月16日讲座幻灯：WorkCoverOccupational Health & SafetyIndustrial Relations 相关的中文信息:WorkCoverSafework SA 中文传译电话：你可以拨打传译电话 82261990 联系 WorkCover 和 SafeWork SA. 此传译电话是免费的。拨通后，请告知接线员你的母语是什么，要找WorkCover 还是 SafeWork SA。接线员会帮你连线并接通所需语言的翻译。希望你能充分利用以上渠道，了解并履行作为雇主的权利和义务。

22/11/2007

从2007年11月22日起，移民-促进产业增长项目将为商业移民提供‘开放日'服务。‘开放日'服务的目的是为商业移民提供一个可以面对面探讨你个人及生意问题的机会。会面时间通常为1小时。请致电8300 0013 或发邮件到 info@businessmigration-sa.com 约会时间。电话留言：请在‘吡'声后留言，中文、英文均可。收到留言后，我们会尽快给你回电。

22/11/2007

Every Thursday is Open Day for Business Migrant members of the Migration for Business Growth program. The Open Day gives you the opportunity to discuss your business/personal issues in a confidential, face-to-face meeting. Appointments are normally of 1 hour duration. To make an appointment, simply ring 8300 0013 or email info@businessmigration-sa.com .

22/11/2007

In November Migration for Business Growth held a seminar on the many important issues that business owners need to be aware of when employing people. Participants found the seminar very enlightening as the rules and regulations are very different here in Australia to what they were used to. Expert speakers informed the audience of their responsibilities as an employer, regarding Occupational health and safety as well as South Australia's Industrial relations issues. There was information on making your workplace safe, minimum standards of pay, sick leave, severance pay, and many other standards that you as an employer must abide by. There was also information on Workcover - how it works and what to do if there is an accident. You can view the presentations on our website at Occupational Heath & Safety Industrial Relations WorkCover These are very important topics for all business owners as the implications are very serious if guidelines and regulations are not followed. If you need more information go to the relevant agency as shown in the presentation notes. These agencies all have access to an interpreter service so please don't hesitate to contact them if you have any outstanding issues. We will be holding another information session in the New Year so look out for it on the events section of the website.

5/11/2007

商业移民免费信息讲座成为移民-促进产业增长会员，确保你能够参加免费的信息讲座！*********************************************************************讲座1：雇主的权利和义务该讲座为雇主提供有关工作场所健康与安全，劳工关系和南澳员工康复及赔偿机制的信息。对于雇主和即将成为雇主的人士，这些信息都是极为重要的。信息将涵括雇主和员工双方的权利和义务，及如何获取更详细的信息。时间：周五 11月16日，下午 1.30-4.00登记：网上登记，请登陆http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/**********************************************************************************************************************讲座2: 如何购买生意首次购买者的指南。信息涵盖选择适合你的生意的5条原则，商谈及签署协议的过程，以及如何接手你的新生意。时间：周五 11月23日，下午 2.00-4.30登记：网上登记，请登陆http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/**********************************************************************************************************************讲座3: 你能应对文化的冲击吗？- 移民的挑战对于很多中国的企业家来说，南澳的商业移民经历是一次兴奋且收获的旅程，参杂了许多远离家乡及在多元文化环境中适应并建立生意的挑战。南澳工商总会为中国商业移民提供该免费信息讲座，探讨商业移民个人及生意上的挑战。主要内容有: 移民的冲击，南澳的多元文化环境，经商的挑战及相关的支持服务。时间：周一 11月26日，下午 2.00-4.30登记：网上登记，请登陆http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/以上讲座皆有普通话翻译。****************************************************************************移民-促进产业增长会员请在网上登记 www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/events 若你不是会员，请登陆以下网址免费申请成为会员 www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/signup 详情，请发邮件到info@businessmigration-sa.com 或致电 8300 0013

5/11/2007

Free information sessions for business migrantsMake sure you are a member of the Migration for Business Growth program so you can attend these free information sessions in November!*********************************************************************Session 1：Employers Rights & ResponsibilitiesThis workshop will deliver information for employers about Health and Safety in the workplace, industrial relations and the South Australian Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation scheme. This is important information for anyone who is an employer or who will become an employer in the near future. Information will include rights and responsibilities for both workers and employers and where to obtain more informationTime: Friday November 16, 2007, 13.30-16.00pmOnline registration http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/**********************************************************************************************************************Session 2: How to buy a businessA guide for the first time purchaser. Information will include 5 principles for selecting the right business for you, the process of negotiation and contract and how to manage the takeover of your new business.Time: Friday November 23, 2007, 14.00-16.30pmOnline registration http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/**********************************************************************************************************************Session 3: Are you coping with cultural shock? - The challenges of migration - For many Chinese entrepreneurs, the South Australian business migration experience is an exciting and rewarding journey that presents many challenges in dealing with leaving home, whilst adapting to and establishing a business in a new country represented by many cultural groups and communities. Business SA is offering Chinese business migrants a free information session on the challenges of business migration at personal and business perspective. Key Topics covered will be: impact of Migration, South Australia's Multicultural environment, the challenge of doing business & support Services availableTime: Monday November 26, 2007, 14.00-16.30pmOnline registration http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/A mandarin Interpreter will be present at the sessions. ****************************************************************************If you are a Member of the program just register online at: www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/events If you are not a Member yet, sign up as member for free Now at: www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/signup For more information, please email info@businessmigration-sa.com or phone 8300 0013

10/10/2007

Moon Festival Feedback SurveyPlease give us feedback on the recent Moon Festival. Your input would be greatly appreciated!

9/10/2007

Photos from the Moon Festival Party are now available, you are being redirected now. 正在打开中秋节鸡尾酒会照片。

9/10/2007

Moon Shines on migrant success - The Adelaide Advertiser, 25 September 2007Citizenship tests and Kevin Rudd's Mandarin-speak aside,m the economic impact of Australia's migrant population is clearly the toast of the moment.Immigration SA together with Business SA yesterday acknowledged the economic participation of eight migrant business owners at the presentation of their permanent residency certificates during the Moon Festival celebrations at the Hilton Adelaide Hotel.More than 400 migrants attended the festivities as part of the Migration for Business Growth program."The program is connecting new business migrants with the SA business sector and they are contributing to the economy through their exports, investment, creation of employment and other business development activities," Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan said. He said Business SA knew of at least 180 opportunities for SA businesses and urged migrants to grab these "with both hands".Immigration SA director Sunny Yang, who steers SA's migration program, said she was a migrant herself so understood the issues participants faced. She called on them to tell their families and friends about SA and to consider moving here. Persistence and local help paid off - by Michael Zhai - The Adelaide Advertiser, 2 October 2007There are many small and medium-sized enterprises in South Australia that are keen to export products and services but are not sure where to start. My small start-up business, Harbin Star, has certainly served as a bridge between this state and China.I came to South Australia in March, 2005 as a business migrant with my wife and daughter. Adelaide could hardly be further apart from where I came from - Harbin - a city in the most northern part of China.The views, weather and friendly Adelaide locals immediately impressed us, but we also faced challenges. Communicating in English, finding suitable business opportunities and getting used to the local way of life are just some of them.At the time, Immigration SA was putting on a series of seminars for business migrants covering issues like cultural differences, settlement, visas, export regulations and taxation. Attending the sessions helped me settle in and I made some business and government contacts. I subsequently established contact with Austrade and Business SA.In July, 2005, Harbin Star sent its first export shipment of red wine to China through a successful deal with Aldinga Bay Wines of McLaren Vale. The reason I chose to export red wine was that I found a niche - the festival gift market - back in my home town.We have since organised many themed red wine marketing activities during festivals in north east China. Through our efforts, Aldinga Bay's red wines are getting recognised in the region. In August of this year we started discussions with China Post to exploit more sales initiatives. We have gradually opened sales offices in other cities around China.This didn't all happen easily. When I first got a list of wine companies from Austrade and contacted Aldinga Bay myself, I received the cold shoulder. I realised it is mostly due to my lack of English communication capability and they failed to see what I had to offer.Immigration SA supported me with some initial introductions, and I went back to Aldinga Bay persistently, this time accompanied by my interpreters. Now, managing director of Aldinga Bay, Nick Girolamo, is a happy partner and a great friend of our family.I have most recently been granted my permanent residency and am pleased to be a new South Australian. I believe my links with China are invaluable to many local small businesses. I have taken some local contacts to Harbin for business trips many ties. Through these trips, James Forbes found his Chinese partner for manufacturing boilers. With cross-border trade links, it can be a win-win situation for both South Australia and China.Michael Zhai is the founder of wine exports company Harbin Star and an active member of the Migration for Business Growth program run by Immigration SA and Business SA.

5/10/2007

Thank you to all Migrant and Business Members who attended the 2007 Moon Festival Cocktail Party at the Adelaide Hilton. It was a wonderful night with over 400 business migrant families and business people. Guests enjoyed fine food and wine from Rymills Coonawarra and Craigburn Wines. Seven Business Migrant families were presented with certificates from Immigration SA as congratulations for gaining their permanent residency.We look forward to celebrating the Moon Festival with you again next year!

4/10/2007

Under regulations to take effect October 1st 2007, on-hire companies that seek to sponsor overseas skilled workers will only be permitted to do so through labour agreement arrangements.Minster for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews, said the specific labour agreement for the on-hire industry recognised the unique employer/employer relationship in this sector. ‘The labour agreement provides a pathway to recruit overseas skilled workers where standard visa arrangements do not meet industry needs and access to overseas skilled workers is demonstrably in Australia's interests.'The changes recognise the importance of the on-hire industry's capacity to readily supply workers to fill gaps in other businesses where an Australian worker is not available.The on-hire labour agreement mandates for the training of Australian workers and sets the skill level and salary for overseas workers, further strengthening the integrity of Australia's subclass 457 visa program.‘Amendments to the Migration Regulations will assist on-hire companies to transition from standard 457 visa arrangements to the labour agreement framework, which better provides for the needs of their industry and the Australian Government's strong commitment to ensuring the ongoing integrity of the 457 programme' the Minister said.All applications made on or after 1 October 2007 will be considered under the new framework. This change will not affect subclass 457 visa holders in the on-hire industry while they remain on their current visa. For further information, on-hire companies should email the department.Email: Labour.Agreement.Section@immi.gov.au

21/09/2007

亲爱的会员，中秋鸡尾酒会报名工作已于9月20日12点结束。感谢大家对移民-促进产业增长项目及此次活动的大力支持。报名参加的人数远远超过我们的预期。希望大家能够继续支持该项目，并积极参加以后的各种活动。很遗憾有部分会员因各种原因没能参加此次中秋节活动，希望你们渡过一个欢乐的中秋（无论是在中国还是在阿德雷德）。对于没能在登记报名工作结束前登记的会员，很遗憾你们错过了此次活动。以后有其他活动我们会通知你们，希望你们及时报名参加。祝大家中秋快乐！

16/08/2007

Immigration SA, Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) and Business SA invite members of the Migration for Business Growth program and new business migrants to join us to celebrate the 2007 Moon Festival. 贸易与经济发展部 (南澳州政府移民事务处) 及南澳工商总会共同邀请移民-促进产业增长项目的会员及新登陆的商业移民一起庆祝2007中秋节 Place 地点: The Hilton Adelaide 希尔顿酒店Level 1, 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide Date日期: Monday 24th September Time 时间: 6.00-8.00 pm Cost: Free (Compliments of DTED and Business SA)费用全免 (贸易与经济发展部及南澳工商总会赞助)*conditions apply 适用条件 Dress code着装要求: Business 商业正装 Registration: Online registration is required^Go to http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/forum_news_events to register.登记: 须网上登记^请登陆 http://www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/forum_news_events 登记 Further information详情: info@businessmigration-sa.com Or phone 致电 8300 0013 * Guests will receive an admission ticket on registration. Tickets must be presented at the door. * 登记后嘉宾会收到门票。须持票入场。^ To use online registration, membership of the Migration for Business Growth program is required. To become a member at no cost, please go to www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/signup . For members of the Migration for Business Growth program and spouse only! ^ 使用网上登记，必须持有移民-促进产业增长项目的会员资格。免费成为会员，请登陆www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/signup. 仅为移民-促进产业增长项目会员及配偶。 Also, Chinese style moon cakes are needed for the party, if you are a supplier, please contact 8300 0013. 另外，晚会需购中式月饼（数量价格面谈），若商业移民可供货，请致电 8300 0013。

16/08/2007

Immigration SA, Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) and Business SA invite members of the Migration for Business Growth program and new business migrants to join us to celebrate the 2007 Moon Festival. 2007년 추석을 맞아, 남호주 이민성 (무역 경제 발전부)와 사업 성장 촉진 프로그램의 남호주 비지니스 회원님들과 새 회원님들이 초대 되었습니다. Place 장소: The Hilton Adelaide 힐튼 아델레이드 Level 1, 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide Date날짜: Monday 24th September (9월 24일, 월요일) Time 시간: 6.00-8.00 pm (오후 6시-8시까지) Cost: Free (Compliments of DTED and Business SA)가격: 무료(DTED와 남호주 비지니스가 제공)*conditions apply 상황에 따라 바뀔수 있습니다. Registration: Online registration is required^Register at www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/forum_news_events 등록양식: 온라인 등록이 꼭 하셔야 합니다^www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/forum_news_events으로 가셔서 등록 하십시요 Further information더 정보가 필요하시면: info@businessmigration-sa.comOr phone 혹은 전화로: 8300 0013 * Guests will receive an admission ticket on registration. (손님들은 티켓을 등록할 때 받을 것입니다) Tickets must be presented at the door. *(티켓은 출입구에 받드시 보여드려야 합니다)^ To use online registration, membership of the Migration for Business Growth program is required. (온라인으로 등록 하실려면, 회원이신 분만 가능 하십니다.) To become a member at no cost, please go to www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/signup . (무료로 회원이 되시려면, www.businessmigration-sa.com/migrant/signup 으로 가십시요. For members of the Migration for Business Growth program and spouse only! (사업촉진프그램 회원과 배우자만 한정되어 있습니다)

3/08/2007

南澳州政府移民事务处邀请新到达的商务移民参加信息讲座永久居留权要求与条件(892类签证）地址： Stamford Plaza Hotel, Boulevard Room 150 North Terrace, Adelaide 时间： 2007年08月16日, 上午 10：00至12：00 预约电话： (08) 8204 9902 (Daniel Ying 先生) (08) 8204 9903 (Cocoa Ho 小姐) （届时请携带您的护照并在讲座开始前30 分钟到场签到。）

31/07/2007

Tax Office has a range of information and assistance available to help people meet the 31 October 2007 deadline, including Tax Help volunteer services.Tax Help centres which have Tax Help volunteers who speak Korean and Chinese are :Korean speaking volunteer available at:Campbelltown City Council, Rostrevor. Ph: 8366 9290 Chinese speaking volunteer available at:Adelaide - Chinese Welfare Services of SA Inc, Ph: 8212 2988Aberfoyle Park - Hub Community Library, Hub Drive Aberfoyle Park. Ph: 8384 0100Blakeview - Lynay Community Centre Inc, Ph: 8284 0070Enfield - Enfield Community Centre, 540 Regency Road, Enfield. Ph: 8342 9168Greenacres - Greenacres Library Council Office, 2 Fosters Road, Greenacres, Ph: 8405 6540Pooraka - Pooraka Farm Neighbourhood House, 126 Henderson Avenue Pooraka, Ph: 8262 5544 Important!!! Phone appointments are essential and the clients need to stipulate their language requirements at the time of booking.This information may change during the season due to the availability of the volunteers.

31/07/2007

With the end of the financial year here the Tax Office is reminding Australia's 11 million taxpayers to start thinking about preparing and lodging their tax return.Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo said the Tax Office has a range of information and assistance available to help people meet the 31 October 2007 deadline."From 1 July 2007, people can prepare and lodge their return online using e-tax, which is a secure, easy to use system which, in most cases, processes your return within 14 days."As well as the calculators, help screens and links to rulings in e-tax, this year you will be able to download more information from third parties including Centrelink payment data, net medical expenses from Medicare and interest earned from 20 banks and financial institutions."e-tax can be accessed free of charge 24 hours a day, seven days a week from our website at http://www.ato.gov.au/" Mr D'Ascenzo said.People can still use a paper return and those who did so last year will receive TaxPack 2007 or the short tax return shortly."The short tax return is for people who have simpler tax affairs," Mr D'Ascenzo said.If you used the short tax return last year or your 2006 return indicated you have simpler tax affairs, we will send you a Short tax return 2007 by mail. You can also obtain a copy of Short tax return 2007 by phoning 1300 720 092.Once completed, the short tax return can be lodged over the phone by calling 13 28 65.People can also get a TaxPack from most newsagents or Tax Office shopfronts from 1 July or by phoning 1300 720 092.Mr D'Ascenzo also reminded people using a tax agent for the first time or using a different one from last year to contact them by 31 October 2007, and the earlier the better."Only registered tax agents can charge a fee to prepare and lodge a tax return."Make sure your agent is registered by visiting the Tax Agents' Board website at http://www.tabd.gov.au/ or by phoning them on 1300 362 829," he said.Compliance focusThe Tax Office will again focus on deductions for work-related expenses, rental property expenses and capital gains from the sale of property and other assets.This year the Tax Office will focus particularly on the following occupations for work-related expenses:tourism, travel consultants and tour guides fitness and sporting industry employees construction tradespeople who are employees guards and security employees, and a continued focus on mining site employees.We have also embarked on a project focusing on the compliance behaviour of high income earning executives."We cross-check tax returns against a range of data including financial institution data, state and territory revenue and property sales information and Australian stock exchange data. "In particular, we'll be looking for capital gains from assets sold to contribute to superannuation before the new super changes came into affect on 1 July," Mr D'Ascenzo said.If people have questions or need assistance, they should visit the Tax Office website http://www.ato.gov.au/ anytime, or phone the Tax Office on 13 28 61 between 8.00am and 6.00pm weekdays.We can provide you a more personalised service if you provide your tax file number. ATO Media ReleaseLast Modified: Saturday, 30 June 2007

24/07/2007

UniSA International Business Week is South Australia's premier event for exporters and companies considering the leap from domestic to world markets.The 2007 program will include seminars, workshops and hypothetical forums covering the critical issues that exporters face when venturing overseas and how they can become internationally competitive.Experts from industry and government will provide advice on various support programs, as well as market-specific information in areas such as the law and cultural differences.UniSA IBW 2007 is conducted over 6 - 17 August to accommodate events in both metropolitan and regional locations. The metropolitan program comprises of seminars, workshops and activities in various locations, with most of the metropolitan events held during the week of 6 - 10 August. The regional program features key note speakers visiting regional areas to speak at a series of seminars, workshops and activities spread over 13 - 17 August.As a member of Migration for Business Growth, we would like to bring this event to your notice. To know more about 2007 International Business Week, please go to http://www.unisaibw.com.au/ . You can find out all the events being conducted during International Business Week from this website, and get registered online. Please note: There may be some costs involved for some events, and, All events will be conducted in English.

4/07/2007

Austade and Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation will co-host a wine seminar on the new and challenging market for bottled Australian wine in China.Date: Tuesday 14th AugustTime: 2.45 pm - Registration 3.00-5.00 pm - Panel discussion & Q&A 5.00-5.30 pm - Networking sessionVenue: Jerningham Room, ground floor The Lion Hotel, 161 Melbourne St, North AdelaideRSVP: 3rd August 2007Cost: Free of chargeFor more information visit: www.austrade.gov.au/ChinaWS or contact Austrade direct on 13 28 78 or at info@austrade.gov.au

18/06/2007

The objective of this Tax Office presentation is to provide participants with an overview of employer obligations. Participants will be asked to consider the following questions: 이번 세무서 설명회의 목표는 참석자들의 고용주의 의무 전반에 대한 이해를 돕는 것입니다. 참석자들은 다음 내용에 대해 생각해 보시도록 요청 받게 됩니다.Session times 설명회 일시: 2007년 6월29일 금요일, 오전 9시30분- 오전11시30분Session venue설명회 장소 : MTAA Super House Theatrette, Ground Floor West, 55 Currie Street, Adelaide 5000Limited places, registration required. 자리가 한정되어 있습니다. 예약은 필수입니다To register for this session, please click here or contact Laura Jia on 08-8300 0013 이 세미나에 참가하시고 싶으시면, Click here를 눌러 주시거나 아님, 08-8300 0013으로 전화를 주셔서 로라 지아양에게 연락 바랍니다.Registration starts at 9.00am, please bring your passport. 9시 부터 시작합니다. 여권을 꼭 지참하십시요

18/06/2007

由税务局官员为您讲解有关澳洲税务系统的信息。Presenters from Australian Taxation Office will provide you with information about Australian taxation system. 时间Time:2007年6月25日,周一下午 14.30-16.30 地点Place:MTAA Super House Theatrette, Ground Floor West, 55 Currie Street, Adelaide 5000 座位有限，请提前预约。Limited places, registration required. 欲参加此讲座,请点击此处或致电8300 0013。 To register for this session, please click here or contact Laura Jia on 08-8300 0013 13.45 开始登记,请携带护照。Registration starts at 13.45pm, please bring your passport.

4/06/2007

Migration for Business Growth ran its first Tax Information session with the Australian Taxation Department on Monday 28th May in both English and Chinese. The session was on 'The Fundamentals of Income Tax' and provided an overview for small business owners. The next Chinese session will be on 'Employer Obligations' on June 25th. Over 100 Chinese business migrants attended and there were many questions on taxation for the presenter from the Australian Taxation Department. See the Migrant Forum/news/events section of the website for information on upcoming taxation sessions in Korean and Chinese.

28/05/2007

Migration for Business Growth has been contacted by Mr. David Benn, director of Only One Football, seeking a SA business who has connections in sports clothing manufacturing industry in China. Mr. David Benn - Only One Football 的董事长，联络我们，欲寻一个与中国运动服装加工厂家有联系的南澳企业。Mr. Benn is seeking to have certain clothing items manufactured in China, and would like to deal with a local SA business.Mr. Benn 欲将选定的服装在中国生产，希望和本地企业交易。If you have such a business, you are invited to contact Mr. Benn on 0419 850 400 or email david@onlyonefootball.net.au 若您有这样的企业，请致电 0419 850 400，或发邮件到 david@onlyonefootball.net.au 与Mr. Benn 联系。

15/05/2007

Read this article from the latest edition of xpress - Business SA's newsletter - or view the entire newsletter by clicking here.Migration for Business GrowthThere's no better place to do business than in South Australia, as highlighted by Business SA's new Migration for Business Growth program.A joint initiative between Business SA and the Department of Trade and Economic Development, Migration for Business Growth is a free service aimed at assisting business migrants, solving the skills shortage and growing the local economy.Through the program's extensive website, South Australian business owners can gain free access to a targeted group of potential financial business partners who are highly motivated to commence business within the State. South Australian business people can join the program on the Migration for Business Growth website to receive a variety of benefits, including: targeted promotion of business opportunities export market development access to overseas market intelligence access to capital investment transfer technology joint ventures opportunities, and skills shortage solutions.Dale Wood Business Brokers General Manager, Bevan Roberts, has already used Migration for Business Growth to forge relationships with Chinese business migrants."The program recognises existing business skills and encourages new arrivals to start their own successful business here," Mr Roberts said."Through this initiative we expect to develop more work through partnerships that would not have otherwise happened here."As a business migrant, Yishu Chen, Director of architectural firm, Thinker Design & Consult Pty Ltd, has also benefited from her involvement in the program.Thinker Design has undertaken several projects with South Australian companies, including Swanbury Penglass Architects. Recently, the two companies undertook a project together for a residential community, and two months later won a project to develop the China Dongguan Loyal Spring Garden. "Migration for Business Growth has given us the chance to seek and combine high-quality architectural and landscape design services from Australian professionals with the growing Chinese market," Yishu said."Since being involved in projects like this one, we are now collaborating with other Australian companies." Business members of the program are able to list a wide range of opportunities for migrants to consider, including businesses for sale, export and capital investment. Members can also search specific opportunities advertised by business migrants and obtain assistance to access overseas skilled workers. Registering as a business member is a simple and free process. Migration for Business Growth welcomes all Business SA members to promote business opportunities on the program's website, with no cost involved.

14/05/2007

Click here to view the Minister's post-Budget briefing for portfolio stakeholdersCanberra, 10 May 2007. It outlines the Government's budget initiatives and future directions for Immigration and Citizenship.

2/05/2007

由税务局官员为您讲解有关澳洲税务系统的信息。Presenters from Australian Taxation Office will provide you with information about Australian taxation system. 时间Time:2007年5月28日,周一下午 14.30-16.30 地点Place:MTAA Super House Theatrette, Ground Floor West, 55 Currie Street, Adelaide 5000 座位有限，请提前预约。Limited places, registration required. 欲参加此讲座,请点击此处或致电8300 0013。 To register for this session, please click here or contact Laura Jia on 08-8300 0013 13.45 开始登记,请携带护照。Registration starts at 13.45pm, please bring your passport.

26/04/2007

You are formally invited by Immigration SA to attend information sessions about: 南澳州政府移民事务处正式邀请您参加关于下列主题的信息讲座:永久居留权要求与条件(892类签证)Permanent Residency Requirements (for obtaining subclass 892 visa) 地址: Stamford Plaza Hotel Boulevard Room, 150 North Terrace, Adelaide 时间: 2007年05月10日下午 3:00至5:00登记详情,请与Immigration SA 联系,联系方式如下 For more information and registration, please contact Immigration SA, see below:电子邮件 Email immigration.sa@state.sa.gov.au 或者完成网上(http://www.immigration.sa.gov.au/) 的中文登记表 complete the registration form on our website which is now available in Chinese电话 Phone (08) 8204 9902 (Amelie) or (08) 8204 9903 (Cocoa) 因座位有限,请一定提前预约。如果讲座已被预订满,我们会将您列于等待名单中,一旦有座位空缺出现,我们会即时通知您。Places are limited, BOOKING A PLACE IS ESSENTIAL. If sessions become full, we will place your details on a waiting list and you will be advised if places become available. 请携带您的护照并在讲座开始前30 分钟到场签到。Please bring your passport with you and arrive 30 minutes before the session to register.

26/04/2007

The Australian Government today announced new changes to the Skilled Temporary Visa Laws. The changes include new civil penalties for employers who breach the law, greater powers for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and the Office of Workplace Services, to investigate employers, faster processing of applications for some employers and a higher English language requirement to be eligible for a Skilled Temporary Visa. The Migration Act will be amended to ensure employers of skilled temporary overseas workers (457visas) face tougher penalties if they breach their sponsorship obligations.New civil penalties will apply for those employers who commit the most serious offences. Offences will relate to such matters as failure to pay the minimum salary level and using workers in unskilled jobs.The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will also be given stronger powers to enforce employer compliance with the 457 visa programme, including the power to conduct unannounced audits of employers and their premises.This will be complemented with greater powers for the Office of Workplace Services to investigate breaches of the Minimum Salary Level.The Australian Government will put in place formal arrangements for the fast-tracking of applications from those employers who have a strong and demonstrated record of complying with the 457 visa programmeApplications lodged by fast-tracked employers and their overseas personnel will be priority processed, helping to streamline access to skilled workers.These changes will be introduced this year.From 1 July 2007, employers will be required to ensure that overseas workers they sponsor have English language skills equivalent to an average score of 4.5 in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or a higher level where required as part of licensing or registration. Applicants will be required to detail their English language skills and on a targeted basis, may be required to complete an IELTS test. The manner in which this requirement would be implemented will continue to be discussed with key industry groups.Due to a strong economy and unemployment at a 30 year low, some Australian industries are experiencing a temporary shortage of skilled workers.Employers must recognise that access to skilled temporary migrants is a privilege, not a right, and if they abuse this privilege, then they will face strong penalties.The changes that have been announced today will ensure that further obligations are put in place to protect and strengthen the integrity of the 457 visa scheme. Media enquiries: Kate Walshe 0421 588 794

3/04/2007

Dear MigrantsThe new website to assist Business Migrants is now available - we hope that you enjoy browsing the site and we would value your feedback. Happy reading!!

Business SA

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Migration for Business Growth

News

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11/09/2011

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11/09/2011

Fall in local unemployment rate

11/09/2011

Retail spending continues to fall

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No surprise as Budget in holding pattern

16/06/2011

Slight decline in local employment

16/06/2011

Fall in local retail trade and exports

6/06/2011

Increase in local building approvals

6/06/2011

Business indicators provide local concern

6/06/2011

Mixed news as local unemployment remains steady

13/05/2011

Retail trade benefits from busy March

13/05/2011

Local businesses reveal a decline in confidence

13/05/2011

Business responds to CPI rise

13/05/2011

China Briefing 2/11: The Chinese Wine Market

6/05/2011

Jump in local unemployment a concern

28/03/2011

Export figures show improvement

10/03/2011

Business indicators provide mixed news

2/03/2011

Private investment surge

28/02/2011

Small rise in building approvals as exports bounce back

23/02/2011

Business welcomes decrease in local unemployment

23/02/2011

Small rise as local business confidence remains low

23/02/2011

Record grain harvest for South Australia

20/02/2011

Program to boost wine sales

20/02/2011

DIAC Public Discussion Paper on Business Visa Program

3/02/2011

Local exports decrease in November

13/01/2011

Report highlights local taxation burden

13/01/2011

Rates contribute to fall in local retail spending

13/01/2011

Building approvals hit by rate rise

13/01/2011

Business Development Initiative (BDI) Grant

9/01/2011

Gateway Business Program

9/01/2011

SME Investment Development Program

9/01/2011

State Migration Plan released

5/01/2011

Christmas and New Year Break

23/12/2010

SA unemployment remains the highest despite fall

14/12/2010

Fall in retail spending as local exports pick up

6/12/2010

Local rise in building approvals but pressure remains

2/12/2010

Business indicators confirm pressure

2/12/2010

Record level of major developments in SA

1/12/2010