Petition launched to reverse Alcohol and other Drugs Council funding cut
Friends of ADCA, the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia, has launched a petition http://chn.ge/1b9KBCx to the Prime Minister to reinstate the organisation's funding. ADCA, the national peak body representing organisations and workers in the sector for nearly half a century, learnt in late November that the Assistant Minister…
New National Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islands Tourism Body to be established - WAITOC
Western Australia Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) Chairman, Doc Reynolds, is pleased to announce the first steps in the establishment of a new National Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islands Tourism Body, with finalized name to be determined by the National Operators in 2014.
Doc Reynolds and Simon Haigh CEO said: “With the endorsement of national Aboriginal tourism operators across Australia,…
Food and Grocery Code agreed by supermarkets and food industry
The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and Australia’s two largest supermarket retailers, Coles and Woolworths, have reached an historic agreement on the terms of a food and grocery industry code of conduct.
The Food and Grocery Code establishes a clear set of principles relating to key aspects of trading relationships between retailers and suppliers and will provide greater certainty and clarity about dealings in the industry without adding complexity or cost in a fast moving consumer…
Diabetes Queensland CEO among the state's top women leaders
Diabetes Queensland CEO and diabetes champion Michelle Trute has been recognised as one of Queensland's most influential women. Ms Trute joins her Excellency Governor-General Quentin Bryce, former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and former Lord Mayor of Brisbane Sally Anne Atkinson in the honour list of YWCA Queensland's top 125 women leaders in the state.
Auto glass industry forms new association
The Australian auto glass industry has joined forces to launch Australia’s largest independent association for the industry, the Auto Glass Association (AGA).
National franchises and suppliers through to individual contractors will be represented by the new association, which will give all sides of the auto glass industry a unified voice and act as a central hub for communication and training.
Institute of Chartered Accountants merger to proceed
Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA) and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) have overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposal to amalgamate and create One New Institute.
Members of both Institutes voted throughout October on the proposal to create a single trans-Tasman Chartered Accountants Institute. The following results have been independently scrutinised…
Government scraps proposed cap on self-education
On 6 November 2013, the Treasurer, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, and the Assistant Treasurer, Senator the Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO, announced the former government’s proposal of a $2,000 cap on tax deductions for self-education expenses will be scrapped. Taxpayers will continue to deduct expenses according to the current rules, including textbooks as well as training and education courses.
Associations Forum welcomed this…
Improving the governance of incorporated associations
Minister for Fair Trading Anthony Roberts today released a Discussion Paper which aims to improve governance in the 36,900 incorporated associations across NSW.
“Examples of incorporated associations in our communities include sporting clubs, musical societies, arts, crafts, cultural and community groups,” Mr Roberts said.
“Incorporated associations are generally run by volunteers and we need to make their work easier while also ensuring…
Integration of national mining representative groups
Statement from Andrew Michelmore, Chairman - Minerals Council of Australia and Ross Willims, Chairman - Australian Coal AssociationRepresentation of the mining industry nationally is to be streamlined through the integration of the Australian Coal Association (ACA) with the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA).The decision to integrate the two organisations has been taken by member companies to ensure the industry is well positioned for the…
Yasser El-Ansary named as AVCAL CEO
AVCAL today announced the appointment of Yasser El-Ansary as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from 20 November 2013.
Yasser is currently a senior executive at the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, where he is responsible for leadership of the organisation’s public policy and advocacy work with government, since joining in 2009.
During the course of his career, Mr. El-Ansary has spent almost 20 years in a variety of business advisory roles with PwC, Rio Tinto…
Engagement vs Involvement
Press Release from Survey Matters, www.surveymatters.com.au....This is the first in the article series and we thought it important to start with a discussion about the concept of membership engagement. Engagement is, after all, the key to a successful membership organisation!
What is membership engagement?
Historically, member engagement has been viewed by associations as loosely equating with…
Chartered Secretaries Australia to rebrand as Governance Institute of Australia
Chartered Secretaries Australia (CSA) will be renamed and rebranded the Governance Institute of Australia to more accurately reflect its role as the only professional association in Australia with a sole focus on the practice of governance in all organisations.
At the General Meeting last Friday (20 September 2013) Members delivered a strong mandate for change with 81 per cent voting yes to the proposal. “We recognised at the outset that we needed to better align our goals and message to…
Woodthorpe resigns from venture capital lobby group
A new CEO has been appointed, watch this space for an update.
Lobby group the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Ltd (AVCAL) has hired recruiter Heidrick & Struggles to find a new chief executive after current boss Katherine Woodthorpe resigned from the post.
AVCAL chairman John White, also a founding partner at mid-market private equity firm Next Capital, said the body was hopeful of finding a replacement by the end of the year and was looking…
National mining groups to combine
The Australian Coal Association (ACA) and the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) have announced that they will combine to form a single representative body for the Australian mining sector.
A statement said the decision to integrate the two organisations has been taken by member companies to ensure the industry is well positioned for the future.
It went on to say the move will ensure the mining industry has a clear voice in national policy debates on the economy, climate change…
Self-medication group introduces online induction program
The Australian Self-Medication Industry (ASMI) has launched an interactive online induction course for those working in the consumer health sector.
A first-of-its-kind online resource, it is expected to become an industry standard, ensuring high levels of knowledge, compliance and Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) promotion across the sector.
With five core learning modules, the ASMI Online Inudstry Induction Course will familiarise individuals and teams with healthcare regulations,…
EEAA launches 'The Power of Exhibitions'
The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has launched an advocacy campaign titled The Power of Exhibitions, which aims to build awareness about the role of exhibitions and events in driving business and economic development.
Organisers, venues and suppliers from around Australia attended an industry briefing in Sydney on Tuesday 13 August with NSW Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner.
EEAA President Domenic Genua said the campaign would help build awareness…
AMA appoints new Secretary General
The Executive Council of the Federal Australian Medical Association (AMA) has appointed Ms Anne Trimmer as Secretary General of the Federal AMA.
Ms Trimmer is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). Prior to joining the MTAA, Anne had an extensive career in the legal profession, practising law as a commercial partner of a major Australian law firm.
Anne has held several leadership positions in professional and educational bodies,…
Federal Government delays $2000 self-education salary cap
The Federal Government announced on Friday 2 August 2013 that it will defer its decision to cap deductions on self-education expenses at $2000.
The Government announcement on the deferral was in the Economic Statement, Page 34 -“The Government has decided to defer the introduction of the $2,000 cap on work related education expense deductions until 1 July 2015. This will allow for further consultation on how best to target excessive claims while ensuring the impact on university enrolments…
ASAE members head Down Under for Associations Forum conference
American senior association executives exchanged ideas and insights into the international association landscape with their Australian counterparts in Sydney recently as part of a week-long study tour.
Eight American delegates were brought to Australia as members of the American Society of Associations Executives (ASAE), a membership organisation of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners that represents 10,000 organisations.
The…
Cap on work-related education expense deductions must be reversed
Associations Forum and its members have called on the Treasurer to reverse the government’s decision to impose a cap on self-education expenses.
At a meeting in Canberra this week, Associations Forum represented its 460 member organisations along side 20 peak professional bodies in opposition to the cap.
Following the meeting, Associations Forum sent a submission to the Treasury outlining why the cap should be reversed, based on feedback from members.
“There is unity among…
ACNC governance standards introduced
The new governance standards for charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) came into effect on 1 July 2013.
The standards apply to all organisations registered or wishing to register with the ACNC, except for Basic Religious Charities.
"This will provide assurance to the community that if a charity is registered with the ACNC, it commits to these straightforward standards," said Acting Commissioner Murray Baird.
Those charities…
Dubai welcomes international associations after historic law change
International associations have been given the go-ahead to open regional headquarters in Dubai in a move which could turn the emirate into a 'gateway to the Middle East' for not-for-profit organisations.
Until now the legal framework made it almost impossible for international associations to establish themselves in Dubai. That's because organisations wanting to set up in the city-state had to have boards consisting entirely - or mainly - of United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals.
But…
Australian Institute of Management announces merger
A new chapter of the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) will be formed following the announcement of a merger between their Queensland/Northern Territory and New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory divisions.
Members showed strong support for the historic merger at the Annual General Meeting on 30 May 2013 in a unanimous vote.
The merger, which was nine months in the making, is the first step in a process that aims to unite the remaining AIM divisions across Australia.
The…
Associations concerned about work-related self-education expenses cap
Members of Associations Forum are concerned following Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan's recent announcement of his plans to introduce a $2000 cap on work-related self-education expense deductions.
Following the announcement, a number of members contacted Associations Forum to express their concerns and seek more information.
General Manager of Associations Forum, John Peacock, has responded by writing to the Treasurer on behalf of near to 500 member associations. The following quotes…
Governance implications from Associations Forum Board Survey 2013
John Peacock, General Manager of Associations Forum, comments on what we can learn from the statistics and trends in the 2013 Associations Forum Board Survey.
Although there are numerically more associations incorporated under the Associations Incorporation legislation of the Australian states and territories, the organisations completing the survey are evenly balanced between the Associations Incorporation Acts…
NSW Government terminates negotiations with Sydney Harbour Expo
The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) has been advised by Infrastructure NSW that it has terminated negotiations with Sydney Harbour Expo for the creation of temporary exhibition facilities at Glebe Island.
The temporary facility was proposed to cater for displaced exhibitions during the three-year closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre while a major redevelopment takes place at Darling Harbour.
Project Director for the redevelopment, Tim Parker, has…
South Australian Farmers Federation dissolved
The South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF) has been dissolved and a new umbrella group known as Primary Producers SA has launched.
At a recent meeting in Adelaide, the members voted to disband the 123-year-old organisation and change the Constitution.
The new body will consist of different commodity groups in the farming industry as opposed to individuals.
President Roger Farley said he hoped farmers would embrace the new model.
"It is a bit of a sad day but it's…
New guide for NFP annual and financial reporting
A raft of legislative and regulatory change has served as the basis for the latest installment of Enhancing Not-for-Profit Annual and Financial Reporting, a publication by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (the Institute) for the not-for-profit (NFP) sector.
Enhancing Not-for-Profit Annual and Financial Reporting is the fourth edition of the publication to be launched since 2006, and offers guidance to NFP entities in the compilation of financial and annual…
Free TV Chairman resigns
According to The Australian, Jeffrey Browne, managing director of Channel Nine, tendered his resignation in an email to the Free TV Australia Board on Tuesday 16th April 2013.
This follows reports from The Australian on Monday 15th April 2013 that a group of networks with seats on the Board was planning to oust Browne for perceived bias towards his own channel.
"To assist a fresh start, I now resign the position of Chair. I do so acknowledging this will be construed…
One strong voice for newsagents
The QNF and ANF Boards said the vision and purpose of the merger is to strengthen the position of Queensland newsagents by delivering more consistent and effective outcomes, developing a stronger united voice and enhancing the strength and influence of the ANF.
Chairman of the QNF Board, Rod Bradley said there had never been a better time to be a part of a strong professional industry lobby group.
“It is vital for individual newsagents to unite under one national body to address…
Swimming pool & spa associations in court battle
Disagreement between associations representing Australia’s swimming pool and spa industry has resulted in court action.
At the core of the dispute is the decision by the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of NSW, one of five state-based members of the federated national body, to rebrand itself with the business name Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance.
On 17 December 2012, SPASA Victoria issued a media statement strongly objecting to the formation of the Alliance…
Girl Guides Victoria launch social media site for tweens
Girl Guides Victoria, in association with NTT DATA, has launched a unique secure social media site for girls under the age of 13.
Known as iGGi (i Girl Guide interactive), the site provides a secure platform for Girl Guides to interact through social media.
Chief Technology Officer at NTT DATA (Boston), Imran Sayeed described the platform as one-of-a-kind.
“Most social media sites require participants to be over 13 years of age, however younger…
Auditing bodies unite
The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) and Circulations Audit Board (CAB) have announced that they will unite under a new identity – the Audited Media Association of Australia.
In March 2013, members of the ABC and CAB voted in favour of the merger, which aims to accurately reflect their evolving leadership in media auditing and accountability.
ABC Chairman, Dr Stephen Hollings said Audited Media would preserve the history and values of both organisations and their different metrics,…
New look for ageing body
Staying relevant in a declining economy and changing demographic has pushed Active Ageing Australia (AAA) to pursue smarter marketing.
AAA, a not-for-profit based in Adelaide, plays a leading role in providing programs, training, resources and services to a vast network of people, members and organisations focused on promoting the benefits of and providing opportunities for physical activity.
In 2012, they introduced a new logo, strap line, website and initiation into the social…
Magazine Publishers of Australia relaunches
The Magazine Publishers of Australia (MPA) has relaunched with a new website, look and advertising campaign after three years of inactivity.
The relaunch came after industry heavyweights Bauer Media, Pacific Magazines and NewsLifeMedia all confirmed their support for strengthening the magazine industry at an event in Sydney in September 2012.
MPA also appointed Ms Robin Parkes, the former CEO of Freeview, as its new executive director.
Parkes…
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