CEO’s Report STEVE OLD CEO
While 2017 has been a very busy year at a state level, our national branch has also been extremely busy dealing with national issues on behalf of our members. Stephen Ferguson and the team in Canberra have been working with politicians from all sides of politics to get outcomes that assist our hospitality venues around the country to operate effectively with as little impediment from government as possible. At a national level, the National Office is responsible for issues including: - • Industrial relations (IR) • Alcohol and health • Alcohol taxation • Wagering and Gaming • Music and Pay TV Broadcast Licensing • Accommodation and tourism • Workforce development • Immigration and visas • Taxation • Building Code of Australia • Superannuation for hospitality employees • National commercial issues (e.g music licensing, pay TV, wagering, Sky) • Day to day issues management Some of the key Federal Government priorities for our members in 2018 and beyond are: - • Recognition and understanding by government of the role our members play in the community and economy; • Fair and equitable workplace relations system; • Maintenance of the existing system of alcohol taxation, including the current rate of excise for draught beer;
• • Strong government support for the growth of tourism; Evidence based policy development of public health b strategies especially as they relate to areas such as alcohol. Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) operates as a division of the AHA also and is set-up to look after the interests of our accommodation members around the country. With the Hon Martin Ferguson AM as the Chair of TAA and Carol Giuseppi as the CEO along with a small team, they fight hard at a national level on issues such as: - • Increasing regulation of unregulated accommodation and the sharing economy; • Minimising anti-competitive behaviour of on-line Travel agents; • Hotel Development Regulations in Australia; • Minimising impact of disability premise standards; • Assisting with ensuring a favourable Workplace Relations system; • Enabling a favourable visa scheme so as to increase labour supply to meet visitor demand; • Encouraging government to invest in Australians to upgrade their skills and qualifications to meet tourism and hospitality needs. This is a snap shot of the huge amount of work the association does for its members, not only in Tasmania but around the country. As a member of the THA, your membership goes a long way to helping you run and grow your business. Make sure you get on board in 2018 as we move to a state election that will have a huge impact on you and your business. Have a wonderful, safe Christmas and New Year and I look forward to representing you all again in 2018.
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Reduce red tape;
December 2017 www.australianhotels.asn.au
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