From the CEO's Desk
RCCIWA Members Forum Recap – October 31st and November 1st 2019
The second RCCIWA Members Forum for this year was another very valuable and informative event with fantastic information, advocacy, information sharing, engagement and networking. Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed so enthusiastically. There was a very strong collective focus to both days, and it was yet another way that we work hard to ensure the voice of regional business in WA is heard.
Day One was held at Parliament House and a big thank you must go to our host, the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA. It was a great day with great conversations and valuable discussions.
We met with and heard from:
Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA
Hon Bill Marmion MLA
Hon Michelle Roberts MLA
Hon Mia Davies MLA
Hon Mark McGowan MLA
Hon David Templeman MLA
Full notes from the day will be sent out in the next few weeks. Some of the topics covered were:
- We welcome the raising of the payroll tax threshold which was announced that morning
- Police numbers and presence in regional WA
- Road Safety issues
- Regional jobs, trainees and apprentices
- Local contents and the Local Participation Plans
- Support for the Tourism industry
- The local government Act Review
Day Two was held at the brilliant new Ibis Styles East Perth – a great property where we were very well looked after. Thank you to Zac and the team from Ibis for your terrific hospitality. This was a very informative day with discussions, workshops and presentations. Full notes will be sent through, but the overall highlights were:
- CCIWA Presentation – Chris Rodwell and Steve Davison
- CCIWA overview
- Policy priorities
- Western Australian economic update
- Membership update
- CCIWA’s Digital transformation – update
- WA Industry Link Presentation – Stephen Grocott, Dan Holbrook, Fiona Connor
- Regional Sourcing Strategy
- Buy Local Policy
- WAIPS 2019/2020
- Revenue Streams workshop
- State-wide web and directory platform presentation
- Members Highlights and successes for 2019
Business After Hours – Hosted by Accor Hotels WA
Our BAH, held at the fabulous Ibis Styles Hotel on Thursday night was a terrific networking event. A big thank you to Accor Hotels WA for supporting RCCIWA and for hosting our event once again. The venue, food and service were outstanding! The night saw about 45 people in attendance, a great mix of our members and key stakeholders. Thank you to, to the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLAS and Libby Mettam MLA, Member for Vasse for attending and spending time with us.
RCCIWA AGM 2019 – Election Results
We held the 2019 RCCIWA AGM at Parliament House on Thursday October 31st and we congratulate and thank the following for being elected to the following Executive Committee Positions
President Ron Mosby
Vice President David Lanztke
Secretary/Treasurer Caroline Robinson
Committee Member Andrew McKerrell
Committee Member Mark Seaward
Thank you for putting your hand up and for all that you do to support and develop RCCIWA. We would also like to acknowledge Hugh Gallagher, who did not stand for re-election as he has officially retired! Hugh has been a driving force in the growth, development and activity of RCCIWA for 20 years and his contribution is appreciated by all – thank you Hugh!
Next RCCIWA Monthly Teleconference – Tuesday November 12th
RCCIWA holds a monthly teleconference on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am. The next one will be on Tuesday November 12th.This are a great opportunity to share with and learn from fellow members and find out any updates on issues of importance to regional business communities. This teleconference is a free call to you, thanks to our lovely friends at Telstra Regional WA. The agenda will be sent out with your calendar invitation with the dial in details at the top. We hope you can join us on the line next Tuesday.
Grow Local Launched in Karratha
Tuesday October 15th saw the launch launch of the Grow Local program, a collaboration between RCCIWA, the KDCCI with the support and funding of Rio Tinto, the Chevron Operated Gorgon Project, Woodside and the Toll Group. Grow Local is delivered locally by the KDCCI with Project Management support from RCCIWA.
It was a fantastic event and it was great to hear from Tim McDougall from Rio Tinto, Kevin Michel MLA the Member for Pilbara as they spoke to the importance of the program and its objectives. With an aim to connect, grow and inform local businesses, Grow Local is all about supporting local businesses so they can take every opportunity for business growth.
A very special thank you to our Founding Partner, Rio Tinto and our Program Partners Woodside and Chevron Gorgon Project for their incredible support and genuine drive for supporting Pilbara businesses. It is a great privilege to be working together to support our business community and to be able to provide informative and relevant workshops, individual business advisory and excellent networking and engagement opportunities. It is because of their support and commitment that we can do this.
Grow Local will deliver a series of informative workshops, connection opportunities, one on one business consultation as well as one place for information. To find out more go to https://www.facebook.com/Growlocalprogram/
Changes to the State Government Buy Local Policy – Have your Say
The Buy Local Policy (BLP) is being enhanced to make it easier for Western Australian businesses when bidding for State Government contracts. BLP is a WA Government policy designed to support local businesses through a number of initiatives aimed at maximising participation of locally based businesses in supplying to government. As the BLP has remained relatively unchanged since its inception in 2002, the State Government decided to overhaul the policy, with the aim to simplify it.
A key feature of the updated BLP is the transfer of the current administrator from the State Supply Commission, to the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI).
As with the Western Australian Jobs Act 2017, JTSI will be the lead agency responsible for the development, implementation and administration of the BLP.JTSI’s review of BLP will also ensure the policy is aligned with the Western Australian Participation Strategy (WAIPS).
JTSI will undertake a review of the operation and effectiveness of the BLP on an annual basis.
As part of this process, there will be regular consultation with public and private sector stakeholders and greater scrutiny of policy outcomes. For any enquiries regarding this email please contact the Industry Link Advisory Service.
Email: industrylink@jtsi.wa.gov.au
Telephone: (08) 9222 0722
Climate Change Policy – Have your Say
The Government of Western Australia is seeking public comment on climate change issues and opportunities, and has released an issues paper on 4 September 2019. You are invited to share your views by making a submission to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
They are seeking your feedback on the issues and questions outlined in the issues paper to help inform the development of WA’s new state climate policy. The submission period closes on 29 November 2019.
Lower Fees, Local Skills
The State Government recently announced the introduction of Lower fees, local skills, a VET fee reduction initiative to encourage growth in training, apprenticeships and traineeships.
Commencing 1 January 2020, Lower fees, local skills will see the course fees for 34 targeted priority qualifications reduced by 50 per cent and the maximum annual course fee for these courses capped at $400 for concession students and youth and $1,200 for non-concession students.
Lower fees, local skills is a two-year initiative which aims to stimulate training in jobs growth areas and support the industry sectors that are important for the diversification of the Western Australian economy, including aged and disability care, Metronet, defence industries, hospitality and tourism.
Lower fees, local skills also responds to the State Training Board’s report on growing apprenticeships and traineeships, which identified the cost of training as a significant barrier to employers taking on apprentices and trainees.
Further information about Lower fees, local skills, including the full list of fee-reduced targeted courses and frequently asked questions, is available on the Jobs and Skills WA website at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/lowerfees.