Category: News

Brisbane’s meeting and events agenda is filling up fast as the city’s reputation as a conference hub grows in the lead-up to the G20 Leaders Summit this November.

The Brisbane Convention Bureau has secured 18 conference bids since January alone, generating almost $8 million in economic value for the city via an expected 5000 delegates and 14,000 room nights for the city’s hoteliers.

Several conferences held in Brisbane in the past six months have attracted 1000 or more delegates, including:

• The Asia Pacific Association for the Study of Liver 2014 – 3000 delegates
• World Congress of Audiology 2014 – 1700 delegates
• EduTECH National Congress & Exhibition 2014  – 5270 delegates
• 2014 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction  – 1318 delegates

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) chose to bring its annual national conference to Brisbane from June 11-12 to coincide with the city hosting the G20.

ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie said the national peak body for Australia’s community and social services sector liked the idea of holding its annual conference in Brisbane in the same year the city is set to host the G20.

More than 400 delegates from across Australia attended the ACOSS National Conference at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This influx of delegates translates into a $437,600 economic benefit for the city thanks to the estimated average amount of money each delegate would spend in the city.

“The conference provided a unique opportunity to engage with the work of the Civil Society 20 (C20) as it engages with the G20 and to gain insight into the emerging global inclusive growth agenda, and the policy and advocacy opportunities this may present,” Ms Goldie said.

“We were delighted to come to Brisbane to work with local agencies, leaders and the community.”

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said delegates and visitors coming to Brisbane for the G20 would find out first-hand why the city was fast building its reputation as an Asia-Pacific conventions hotspot.

“Visitors to Brisbane are often astounded by the sophistication of the city, with future-proofed infrastructure, a zest for innovation, enviable lifestyle and climate and exceptional conference facilities, hotels and leisure attractions,” Cr Quirk said.

“We expect the 4000 delegates and 3000 media visitors attending the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane this November will return to their home countries and spread the word about Australia’s new world city of Brisbane and its offerings.

“This will, in turn, help to attract talent, investment and other significant conferences to the city in the key industry sectors of energy and resources, innovative manufacturing, logistics and distribution and health and life sciences.”

John Aitken, CEO of Brisbane’s economic development board Brisbane Marketing, said the initiatives put in place to meet the needs of G20 delegates and visitors would be invaluable for future event organisers and visitors who choose Brisbane to host their conferences.

Brisbane City Council and Brisbane Marketing will lead a city-wide campaign that includes the development of a welcoming strategy aimed to engage the business events industry at all visitation touch points.

“Our Brisbane Welcomes the World strategy will also ensure our city’s service and transport industry staff and volunteers have the tools and information to make visitors feel welcome and informed for the G20 visit and thereafter as an important G20-driven legacy,” Mr Aitken said.

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A Senate Economics Committee report into legislation watering down Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) consumer protection laws suggests the changes will be brought forward without significant amendment.

Last night the Government controlled committee tabled its report into the Corporations Amendment (Streamlining of Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2014 recommending it go ahead with only superficial change.

In the face of strenuous concerns raised by consumer and senior groups, academics and industry super funds, and at a time when the devastating impact of pre FOFA commission driven sales advice is still reverberating, the majority report of the committee has endorsed removing key consumer protections, including dilution or removal of the three pillars of FOFA:

* Diluting the ironclad best interest test by introducing loopholes lobbied for by banks;

* Allowing banks and other product providers to pay financial planners a range of incentives to sell their products, including super; and

* Allowing financial planners to be paid ongoing commission-like fees without providing ongoing advice by removing the opt-in.

Industry Super Australia (ISA) Chief Executive, David Whiteley, today said that Rice Warner estimates the removal of consumer protections will result in a staggering $7.5 billion cost to consumers over the next 14 years.

“The division evident between the majority and minority reports demonstrates the contentious nature of the wind back of FOFA consumer protections which the banks have been fiercely lobbying for.

“The Government must rule out seeking to pre-empt detailed debate of the Bill in the Senate by making regulations in advance of a vote.

“Debate of the Bill should be allowed to run its course in the Senate. Making regulations before the outcome in the Senate is known is a recipe for uncertainty for consumers and businesses alike,” Mr Whiteley concluded.

By Sam Navin

Enraged feminists and women’s rights advocates took over the streets of Brisbane’s CBD to raise awareness about the prevalent Rape culture.

Styled on the SlutWalk events, the rally was organized by a group of feminists who came together in support of one another, and to demand an end to sex-shaming and victim-blaming.

During her speech, Ms. Rachael Jacobs, a women’s rights campaigner and the 2013 Greens candidate for Brisbane, expressed her dismay that in our society the victims of rape are blamed more than the perpetrators.

“By addressing this issue, we might not be able to change the whole concept of rape, but we can change the culture by doing what we are doing,” Ms. Jacobs said.

The event, which was open to all genders, attracted around 100 people who marched through the streets of downtown Brisbane shouting “However we dress, wherever we go; Yes means Yes and No means No.”

Ms. Shannon Jay, a 3rd year law and criminology student from Griffith University, firmly believes that safety against sexual violence is a human right.

“I’m offended that someday, I’m going to work for a criminal justice system that supports sex offenders rather than the victims,” she expressed.

Mrs. Lena Marlene, a BA Double Major who also worked as a stripper for 15 years, confessed during her speech that in her profession she has seen all types of men and most men who frequented her place of work were men at their worst.

“I told my parents that I might go down fighting, but I will go down with lots of DNA under my hands,” Mrs. Marlene quoted.

Most men and women at the rally had a personal story to behind their decision to fight against the rape culture, and most people believed that rape culture is a disease that’s engrained deep in the fabric of our society.

Ms. Heather, a stripper, hopes that the rally caught people’s attention so they can realize that rape is a prevalent problem in our society, and hence make a stand against future perpetrators.

“I’ve been sexually assaulted before, therefore this is very personal for me. I can’t walk down the street without being endangered by some man whistling at me or saying ‘oy, nice tits’ so I want to be able to feel safe no matter how I look,” she said.

Queenslanders are being urged to help prevent elder abuse in their communities by being alert to its signs and taking action to support older people who may be in abusive situations.

Communities Minister Tracy Davis said World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June) was an opportunity to encourage community action to address the abuse, and aligned with the Queensland Government’s election promise to revitalise frontline services for families.

“Elder abuse is any act within a relationship of trust which results in harm to an older person, with the most common forms being emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse and neglect,” Ms Davis said.

“The Queensland Government’s strong plan to prevent elder abuse will result in a brighter future for all families across the state.

“During June, we are extending our Make the call domestic and family violence prevention campaign to include elder abuse, which sadly is a lesser recognised form of family violence.

“We want people to understand the signs of elder abuse and if it is happening to someone they know, to call the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192 for advice about how to offer support and assistance.”

Ms Davis said a key campaign message was that anyone can make the call.

“The people affected by elder abuse are our mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, colleagues, neighbours and friends,” she said.

“Elder abuse is never acceptable and as a community, we all have a responsibility to Make the call if we know or suspect that older people are being abused.”

The Make the call campaign is supported by the Public Trustee, Queensland Rail, Queensland Police Service and Public Safety Business Agency, Heritage Bank, Clubs Queensland and Brisbane City Council.

For further information about elder abuse, as well as a calendar of community events and free resources to support awareness-raising activities, visit www.qld.gov.au/makethecall

You can also join the conversation about preventing elder abuse on www.facebook.com/make-the-call-now