The Queensland Law Society has congratulated the Queensland government on the passing of long-needed reforms aimed at making purchasing property easier.
President Ian Brown said the passing of new legislation will simplify the residential sales process and is a big step forward for the property industry.
“We thank the the Queensland Government for the opportunity to be involved in the consultation on this newly enacted legislation,” Mr Brown said.
“We have long believed that good stakeholder consultation is the key to good law.
“However, despite positive steps being taken to make purchasing property easier, we caution potential homeowners to take care when finalising their contracts, with changes to cooling off periods soon coming into effect.
“Previously, waiving or shortening the cooling off period required a certificate from an independent lawyer which demonstrated that the lawyer has explained to the buyer the effect of the contract, the certificate and the effect of waiving your cooling off rights.
“The Property Occupations Bill 2013, which replaces aspects of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000, allows for shortening or waiving buyers rights to a cooling off period when purchasing property.
“Under the new laws, a buyer personally can waive their cooling off rights simply through written notice to the seller.
“However, it is important for buyers to be aware of this change and be cautious when purchasing property, especially if you are unfamiliar with Queensland’s property laws.
“It is always important to obtain independent legal advice when purchasing residential property.
“We hope that buyers will always contact their solicitor before signing.”
On the eve of the first Abbott Government Federal Budget, business confidence has taken an unexpected downturn. The latest Westpac Group CCIQ Pulse Survey for the March Quarter reveals significant falls in business confidence in both the state and national economies. Weeks of government deficit and debt discussions have spooked the business community.
And with the threat of reduced government services, increased taxes and asset sales looming in both the May 13 Federal Budget and June 3 Queensland Budget, concerns are unlikely to ease.
Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland General Manager of Advocacy, Nick Behrens, said the Pulse survey of business conditions identified a dip in the recent strong business sentiment.
“These results confirm that we have failed to capitalise on the past six months and the start to 2014 has not seen the initial strides that we would have liked,” Mr Behrens said today.
The last Pulse survey showed record highs in the second half of 2013 for the outlook of the state and national economies. While results remain in positive territory for the March Quarter, there have been significant falls overall.
“These results are unfortunately further reflected across all key business indicators with falls recorded in general business conditions, sales and revenue, profitability, employment and capital expenditure,” Mr Behrens said.
“Diminished consumer and business confidence bought about by government deficit and debt discussions and rising business costs are key contributing factors influencing these results.
“The results are a strong indication that we cannot take business confidence for granted across the conversations relating to deficits, debt and asset sales. They are unquestionably spooking consumer confidence.”
Some of the key points in the Pulse survey reveal:
The Business Confidence Index for Queensland decreased in the March Quarter by 7.1 percentage points to 51.7. The majority of businesses are expecting similar (32 per cent) or stronger (38 per cent) economic conditions in Queensland over the coming 12 months.
The National Business Confidence Index fell by 8.0 percentage points to 52.2. The majority of businesses expect the national economy to strengthen (38 per cent) or remain the same (35 per cent) over the next 12 months.
General business conditions contracted over the quarter, falling 7.5 percentage points to 44.9. The majority of businesses indicated that general business conditions were weaker (38 per cent) or remained the same (36 per cent).
The Sales and Revenue Index fell 8.1 percentage points to 44.3, with 40 per cent of businesses reporting weaker sales over the three month period.
The Profitability Index decreased by 6.4 percentage points to 37.1, the lowest level recorded since the June quarter 2011. Only 17 per cent of businesses reported stronger profitability levels during the quarter.
The Employment Levels Index decreased by 3.4 percentage points to 45.2. The majority of Queensland businesses are keeping employment levels steady (63 per cent).
Mr Behrens said it was crucial that once the Federal and State budgets had been delivered, politicians start focussing on the positives in the economy.
“When we saw some green shoots in the last six months CCIQ cautioned care and attention were needed to nurture a further recovery in business growth. These results indicate it is too early to take for granted,” he said.
“Optimism and expectation of growth in the state and national economy whilst diminished remains there, but Queensland is yet to convert this anticipated improvement in actual business performance.
“The conversion that was anticipated to occur in the March quarter looks to be pushed out by at least three months.”
Corporate Social Responsibility is not enough to save the planet, warns global report.
University of Sydney Business School’s Steve Elliot
An international team of experts backed by the United States National Science Foundation has devised an eight point plan designed to halt unsustainable levels of environmental degradation wrought by the private sector.
The plan is contained in a report titled New Nature of Business, which has been endorsed by a wide range of environmental agencies, academic institutions, government utilities and firms including the oil giant BP, Dow Chemicals and the India based multinational Wipro.
The report, the first international cross disciplinary project of its kind to be funded by the National Science Foundation, “aims to address the lack of awareness, review the challenges businesses face and present a persuasive case for action”.
Highlighting the urgent need for action, the report’s executive summary says that the degradation of the natural world is impacting dangerously on the availability of everything from clear air to food, water and natural resources that were once abundant.
The executive summary continues by saying that the destruction of habitats is leading to a decline in species and, increasingly, to extinctions and that climate change is now a major contributor to the forces that threaten ecosystems and biodiversity world-wide.
In a forward Director of the Board of the United Nation’s Global Compact, Matthew Tukaki, says that “distracted by global transformations and local crises, business has overlooked environmental degradation and the consequent destruction of biodiversity”.
Authored by the University of Sydney Business School’s Steve Elliot, Oregon State University’s Sally Duncan, and consultant Nigel Malone, the report goes on to provide firms with a “decision-making framework” for an environmentally sustainable future.
The step-by-step framework begins with an examination of environmental awareness levels within a firm and of relevant environmental issues and continues on to the formulation and implementation of appropriate responses.
The framework also covers the identification of sustainable business opportunities.
In a section of the report “Nature is part of everything we do”, Wipro’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Anurag Behar, talks of the importance of engaging employees in the transition to sustainable operations.
“We had regular communications to build awareness, employee eco-chapters at our sites and employees proposing improvements in their areas and taking responsibility for them,” Mr Behar said. “In isolation, these may not seem significant but employee engagement and ownership are critical, they create the corporate environment and build the culture.”
In another chapter titled “Risk versus rewards”, BP’s Group Ecology Expert, Mark Johnson, says that his company identifies its key environmental challenges through its risk processes.
These processes “cover both current risks (issues which occur now and may affect our business operations now) and strategic risks (issues which are being talked about and may affect our business operations in 5 to 10 plus years),” he said.
Co-author Professor Steve Elliot says that many firms have not responded to existing environmental challenges because they are unaware of them, are uncertain of their relevance or are uncertain as to how to deal with them.
“Some firms, particularly in the services sector, do not see that they are at least in part responsible for the degradation that we see all around us,” Professor Elliot said.
“Irrespective of their sector, it’s no longer good enough for firms to adopt CSR policies that focus only on their employees or the local community,” he added. “To be good corporate citizens they must also act to protect the environment.”
Sounding a financial warning to firms that fail to act, the New Nature of Business report quotes the founder of Singapore’s Siloso Beach Resort, Ng Swee Hwa, as saying that “consumer awareness will lead to less profitability in the long run for those who do not practice sustainability”.
New Nature of Business: how business pioneers support biodiversity and ecosystem services, is available at www.newnatureofbusiness.org
The report encourages the use of www.newnatureofbusiness.org as an “ongoing source of information and a place to collaborate, contribute and share experiences” with biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) which are defined as the benefits that nature provides.
The report also invites companies to participate in developing and testing the “Decision-making framework” and to register with the website to stay abreast of BES news.
The Close the Gap Campaign Steering Committee has recommended the Federal Government not proceed with proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA).
Co-Chairs of the Close The Gap Steering Committee Kirstie Parker and Mick Gooda with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Campaign Co-Chair Kirstie Parker said the proposed changes would significantly weaken protections against racial hatred.
“We know that racism makes us sick and we know that legislative protections play a key role in shaping acceptable social norms.
“One recent study from Victoria revealed that 97 per cent of participants had experienced racism in the past 12 months. Eighty-four per cent of the participants had been sworn at or verbally abused and 67 per cent had been spat at or had something thrown at them,” said Ms Parker, who also co-chairs the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.
“If we are to close the unacceptable health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians, racism must be addressed. The RDA in its current form has a critical role to play,” she said.
Campaign Co-Chair Mick Gooda, who is also the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, said the evidence speaks for itself and the proposed changes should not go ahead.
“Evidence clearly demonstrates experiences of racism are associated with both poor health outcomes and health risk behaviours. Racism is linked to anxiety, depression, poor mental health, psychological distress, suicide risk, diabetes, smoking, alcohol and substance misuse and emotional and behavioural difficulties,” Mr Gooda said.
“Before making any changes to the RDA, the Federal Government should explicitly consider the evidence on the impact of racism on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It must ensure that any proposed change does not have a negative health impact,” Commissioner Gooda said.
The submission details the significant evidence that links Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s experience of racism with negative impacts on health.
The Close the Gap Campaign has advised the Attorney-General that strong anti-racism measures, including protections of the type currently included in the RDA, are required to combat interpersonal and systemic racism.
The submission makes two recommendations:
That the Australian Government does not proceed with introducing the Freedom of Speech (Repeal of S.18C) Bill 2014 (Cth) into Parliament;
That prior to introducing an amendment to Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), the Australian Government, utilising the existing evidence base, assess the impacts the proposed changes could have to the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and that this assessment be made publicly available.
The Close the Gap Campaign is Australia’s biggest public movement for health equality. It is a coalition of Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous health and human rights organisations.
At this year’s National Close the Gap Day approximately 150,000 people participated in 1,298 events across the country showing their support for closing the gap.
Correy Edmed remains king of the mountain after another BDO Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge hill climb crown, held as part of Bike Week 2014.
The 34-year-old conquered the 2.3 kilometre 9 per cent climb to Coot-tha’s summit in a gut-busting 6 minutes and 50 seconds, edging out close rival Ben Cook by just two seconds.
Correy and Ben were among a field of 1,500 riders who tested their limits in the timed run up the mountain as part of the 75 and 110 kilometre routes of the BDO Brisbane Coot-tha Challenge while a further 600 revelled in the flatter courses of the Great Brisbane Bike Ride.
The rides, organised by Bicycle Queensland, wrapped up Bike Week 2014 and bought to a close nine days of cycling fun, education and encouragement.
Bicycle Queensland CEO Ben Wilson said the camaraderie of the big rides day was the perfect finish to the Bike Week program.
“The purpose of Bike Week is to encourage more people to cycle more often and the response from riders new and old has been outstanding,” he said.
“From a friendly 30 kilometre spin to the 110 kilometres up Mt Coot-tha and beyond, the big rides take in some of Brisbane’s top cycling experiences and offer an entry point for those who haven’t been on a bike in a while or a challenge for the more seasoned rider.”
Mr Wilson said the Closed Streets for Kids event was a new addition to the Bike Week program and proved to be a hit with young bike riders.
“The free event gave biking youngsters control of Riverside Drive between Jane Street and the Kurilpa Bridge and it was wonderful to see the next generation of Coot-tha Challenge riders having fun on their bikes and improving their road rule knowledge and skills at the same time,” he said.
“I think the parents may have learned a thing or two as well.”
No major incidents or injuries were reported among the participants and Mr Wilson thanked Brisbane’s other road users for their patience and courtesy as the riders completed their ride.
Visitors enjoying the sun at Southbank to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday
After a few wet and drizzly days in Brisbane, the sunshine cast an auspicious glow over the Iconic Buddha Birth Day Festival.
The Parklands were sparkling in traditional Oriental style to the rich vibrant colours of thousands of Red Chinese Lanterns while three gigantic Buddhas sat in tranquility, watchful over the pleasant fragrant sea of hundreds of lilies, carnations and chrysanthemums.
The Piazza hosted a day of grand spectacular commencing with an explosive display of firecrackers at 11:00am, followed by the Grand Cultural Parade with 200 people wearing the traditional national costumes from a range of Asian countries including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, and China.
As expected, at the heart of all good Asian celebrations was a superb range of vegetarian food delights. Dim sims, noodle soup, fried rice and sushi were just a small part of the tasteful offerings.
Meditation classes, bathing Buddha, Kung Fu displays, Tea Ceremonies, Calligraphy and Tai Chi were just a small part of a wide range of activities.
Following on from a tradition dating back of thousands of years there was a spectacular fireworks display at South Bank commencing at 7:30pm on Sunday.
Organisers of the Buddha Birth Day Festival are pleased that over the past 18 years the Festival, which is now one of the Iconic Events of Queensland, continues to make a valued contribution to the cultural fabric of Brisbane.
The Queensland Law Society has congratulated the Queensland government on the passing of long-needed reforms aimed at making purchasing property easier.
