Media Statements: Statements http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx RSS feed for the Statements list. Department of the Premier and Cabinet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:41:53 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 Media Statements: Statements /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx Expanded tourism precinct boundaries unveiled http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132793 Content:

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell today revealed expanded boundaries for the Perth Tourism Precinct, which include significant areas of Subiaco, Mt Lawley, East Perth, West Perth, North Perth, South Perth and Victoria Park.

 

Mr Buswell said regulations to expand the boundaries would be tabled before State Parliament rose this year.

 

“These areas reflect a concentration of retail, dining, sporting and entertainment attractions enjoyed as much by tourists as Perth’s general public,” he said.

 

“The expansion of the tourism precinct into these surrounding areas will only serve to further enhance their status as drawcards for visitors from near and far.

 

“This modest expansion is some solace to the great number of people who have no doubt been frustrated and disappointed by the Opposition’s decision to deny the Perth public the basic right to choose when and where they shop.”

 

The Minister also announced he would amend the trading hours of all general retail shops in the Perth and Fremantle tourism precincts, effective from January 1, 2010.

 

“The new orders will allow people to trade until 9pm on weeknights if they so choose - Saturdays and Sundays will retain their current 5pm closing time,” he said.

 

The move comes after consultation with local councils on behalf of business and is a further step in the State Government’s campaign to reform shopping hours.

 

Businesses on either side of a boundary road of the Perth tourism precinct will be able to trade as part of the area, however no business within the precinct will be forced to open under the new hours.

 

The boundaries of the precinct will include Kings Park and Heirrison Island because of their significance as tourism areas.

 

Today’s announcement comes after Mr Buswell announced yesterday that Joondalup would also become a Special Trading Precinct, in addition to the Perth and Fremantle precincts.

 

Minister's office - 9222 9111
 

Perth tourism precinct opening hours

Effective from January 1, 2010
Monday                   8am - 9pm
Tuesday                  8am - 9pm
Wednesday             8am - 9pm
Thursday                 8am - 9pm
Friday                      8am - 9pm
Saturday                  8am - 5pm
Sunday                    11am - 5pm

 

Background - Expansion of boundaries for the Perth Tourism Precinct

 

The State Government is providing greater choice and flexibility to tourists and local consumers by widening the boundaries of the Perth tourism precinct.

 

The Perth tourism precinct boundaries are set in the Retail Trading Hours (Tourism Precincts and Holiday Resorts) Regulations 2007. The regulations will be amended to include areas of significance to both tourism and the Perth community within the surrounding suburbs of Subiaco, Mt Lawley, East Perth, West Perth, North Perth, South Perth and Victoria Park (see map). The amended regulations will be tabled before State Parliament rises this year.

 

The Minister has consulted with the local governments of inner city areas adjacent to the Perth tourism precinct about the expansion of the precinct area.

 

The areas covered by the precinct reflect a concentration of retail, dining, sporting and entertainment attractions enjoyed equally by tourists and the general public of Perth.

 

Shops within the Perth tourism precinct will enjoy the benefits of Sunday trading from 11am - 5pm and, as of January 1, 2010, extended weeknight trading to 9pm.

 

When will the new Perth Tourism Precinct boundaries start?

The new tourism precinct boundaries will apply from January 1, 2010.

 

What will the hours be?

Perth and Fremantle Tourism Precinct (as of January 1, 2010)

8am - 9pm Monday to Friday

8am - 5pm Saturday

11am - 5pm Sunday.

 

What about shops on boundary roads of the Perth tourism precinct?

Businesses on either side of a boundary road will have the right to trade as part of the tourism precinct.

 

Why have Kings Park and Heirrison Island been included?

As part of the process of creating the new tourism precinct boundary, the Government identified areas that would be of significance to tourists. The inclusion of Kings Park and Heirrison Island reflects their status as tourist attractions; it does not indicate any plan to develop retail businesses in those areas.

 

Will businesses be forced to open under the new hours?

No.  Business owners will continue to decide whether or not they wish to trade extended hours.

 

Why didn’t the Government extend the boundaries further?

The Government has taken a moderate approach, in keeping with the constraints placed on it by the legislation.

 

Video link

Date: 18/11/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
Attachments: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Attachments/132793/Perthtourismmap.pdf
]]> Arbouin, Shane Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:37:27 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132793 Safe Work Australia Week 2009 launched http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132672 Content:

A total of 450 Western Australian businesses have registered workplace safety and health activities to take place during Safe Work Australia Week next week.

 

Safe Work Australia Week (October 26-30) was launched in Perth this morning, and Commerce Minister Troy Buswell said all States would participate in the week by holding activities in their workplaces that promoted the message of keeping the workplace safe.

 

“Activities and events taking place next week across the State will include information sessions, safety workshops, safety displays, training sessions, quizzes and competitions and displays of safety promotional material,” Mr Buswell said.

 

“Safe Work Australia Week is dedicated to raising awareness of workplace safety and preventing workplace injuries and illness.

 

“In WA, key events of the week will be the Work Safe 2009 Forum next Tuesday and the Safety Achievers Dinner on Friday, October 30.

 

“About 620 people with a strong commitment to workplace safety will attend the Work Safe 2009 Forum to discuss workplace safety issues and be updated on the latest ideas, strategies and developments.

 

“On Friday night, 32 companies and individuals will be presented with certificates and trophies in recognition of their excellent performance in the occupational safety and health arena.

 

”Some of these award winners will then be entered into the national occupational safety and health awards.”

 

The Minister encouraged employers and employees to participate in the spirit of

Safe Work Australia Week by joining in with workplace activities during the week.

 

“The State Government takes occupational safety and health very seriously, and will be working hard to ensure WA workplaces are safe and healthy,” he said.

 

“Good occupational safety and health benefits business and workplace safety and should be an integral part of managing any business.

 

“Safe Work Australia Week provides the perfect opportunity to initiate a greater awareness of safety and health issues in workplaces.”


Minister's office  - 9222 9111
Date: 23/10/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:10:31 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132672 New CEO for WorkCover WA http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132670 Content:

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell announced today that Michelle Reynolds had been confirmed as the new chief executive officer of WorkCover.

 

Ms Reynolds, who formerly worked for the Department of Premier and Cabinet as Assistant Director General of the Public Sector Management Division, has been acting in the role of CEO for WorkCover since December 25, 2008.

 

Mr Buswell welcomed Ms Reynolds permanent appointment to the important position.

 

“Ms Reynolds has more than 24 years of experience in the Western Australian public sector where she has played an important role in crafting public sector management policy,” he said.

 

“Since she began acting in the role, Ms Reynolds has already made significant gains in enhancing stakeholder relationships and participation.”

 

Ms Reynolds has initiated a legislative review program of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act since taking on the role of acting CEO of WorkCover.

 

Ms Reynolds’ major focus as CEO will be on developing WorkCover’s capabilities and reputation as part of its oversight of the workers’ compensation and injury management system of WA.

 

Minister's office  - 9222 9111
Date: 22/10/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:35:56 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132670 New appointments to Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132594 Content:

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell today announced changes to the WA Industrial Relations Commission.

 

State Cabinet has approved the appointment of one of existing senior commissioners, Jennifer Smith, to act in the position of president when the term of the present acting president, Mark Ritter SC, expires on October 16.

 

The number of serving commissioners will be reduced from seven to six.

 

“This decision reflects the reduced workload of the commission since the Federal Government WorkChoices legislation in 2006,” Mr Buswell said.

 

“The State Government recently engaged industrial relations expert Steven Amendola to conduct a complete review of the industrial relations system in WA and this is likely to also have further implications for the WA Industrial Relations Commission.

 

“Mr Amendola’s report is due at the end of the year and will probably result in changes to the commission following Government’s consideration of that report.”

 

The number of applications lodged with the commission has reduced from 2,805 in 2004-05 to 780 in 2008-09.  This has meant the cost of processing these applications has risen from $1,686 to $6,541 per application. The budget of the WAIRC was $9.94million in 2004-05 and is $10.726million in 2009-10.

 

“The gulf between the WAIRC’s workload and its budget over the past couple of years is also a concern and I have asked Mr Amendola to consider this matter in his review,” the Minister said.

 

Mr Buswell paid special tribute to Mr Ritter for agreeing to fill in the role of commission president during some turbulent times, following the WorkChoices changes.  

 

“The acting president did his job well in the face of some complex decisions and I am grateful for his expertise during this difficult time,” he said.

 

Ms Smith has been a member of the Industrial Relations Commission for the last nine and half years, following a legal career at the State Solicitor’s Office.

 

Submissions to the Amendola Review can be found at:

http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/LabourRelations/Content/Your%20business%20your%20workplace/Labour%20Relations%20in%20WA/Review_of_the_Western_Australi.html

 

Minister's office - 9222 9111
Date: 9/10/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:18:30 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132594 ICRAR and IBM partnership boosts Square Kilometre Array bid http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132497 Content:

Western Australia’s International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) will partner with IBM Australia and New Zealand in a move boosting the State’s capacity to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Australia’s SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescopes.

 

Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) announced today, ICRAR and IBM have agreed to research and develop IT systems for the transfer, management, processing and storage of the vast amount of radio astronomical data likely to be produced by the SKA.

 

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell said the MOU was a significant advance for the SKA, and the innovation and technology developed from it would enhance WA’s reputation as a hub of radio astronomy expertise.

 

“Once operational, the SKA will produce more data than any other research project in the world,” Mr Buswell said.

 

“In its first hour alone, the SKA will generate more information than that currently held in the entire World Wide Web.

 

“This information, along with the material captured by ASKAP, will be some of the most valuable radio astronomy information ever collected and help us understand how the universe came to exist and evolve to its current state.”

 

Premier’s research fellow and ICRAR director Professor Peter Quinn said ICRAR and IBM’s collaboration would create conceptual designs for a SKA science computing system.

 

“IBM is a world-leader in technology development and its knowledge and expertise will help ICRAR research and develop tools to stream the colossal amounts of data at the speed the SKA demands,” Professor Quinn said.

 

“This partnership merges science with industry and will help Australia and New Zealand’s bid to host the SKA project in the State’s Mid-West.”

 

ICRAR is an equal joint venture between Curtin University of Technology and The University of Western Australia. The State Government has committed $20million towards the centre’s establishment. 

 

Australia/New Zealand and Southern Africa are in the running to host the SKA, a global initiative to design and build a radio telescope that will be up to 50 times more sensitive than current technologies. A decision on the location of the array is expected in mid-2012.

 

Minister's office - 9222 9111
Date: 17/09/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:26:44 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132497 All clear after showbag safety check http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132492 Content:

All showbags on sale at this year’s Perth Royal Show have been given the all clear by product safety officers from the Department of Commerce.

 

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell said the all clear followed inspection of 278 showbags for items which have sharp edges; points or lead content; or items which could be inhalation hazards.

 

“The close work of the Royal Agricultural Society and our Consumer Protection unit mean that families attending the Perth Royal Show this year can be assured that all of the showbags there, are safe for purchase,” Mr Buswell said.

 

“A total of 40 samples from the bags were submitted for lead testing and the analysis found no evidence of detrimental levels.

 

“The trade measurement officers also inspected goods to ensure they complied with packaging and labelling laws and found the showbags were of a very high standard.”

 

Inspectors will conduct spot inspections during the show to ensure continued compliance and consumers are also urged to be vigilant for potentially dangerous products on sale.

 

The Minister said the participation of more than 600 exhibitors made the show a great showcase for small business in Western Australia.

 

“The Royal Show is also important because it brings the country and city together to celebrate all aspects of endeavour of the people of WA,” he said.

 

Tony Devitt, president of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia, said the inspections were vital to ensuring the showbags and toys met safety guidelines.

 

“The showbags are a much anticipated and long established feature of the Perth Royal Show,” Mr Devitt said. 

 

Minister's office  - 9222 9111
Date: 16/09/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:01:46 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132492 New supercomputer to revolutionise State's research future http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132404 Content:

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell today welcomed the Federal Government’s $80million investment to build one of the world’s top 20 supercomputers at Bentley Technology Park.

 

Through iVEC, the Pawsey High Performance Computing Centre for SKA Science will house a supercomputer capable of performing computational science almost 55,000 times faster than a typical PC.

 

Mr Buswell said the investment would boost Western Australia’s existing capacity in high- speed computing, visualisation, data management and storage into a world-class capability.

 

“WA’s advanced computing specialist, iVEC, was established to provide key high performance computing support for the State’s research community,” he said.

 

“In the last four years the demands for iVEC’s services have grown to the point where they are working at full capacity; a significant outcome for this State Government-funded science infrastructure.    

 

“The new centre will be instrumental in strengthening Australia and New Zealand’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) as well as help to position the State as a high performance computing hub.” 

 

CSIRO is currently building the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio-telescope to be located in the State’s Mid-West.

 

The Minister said the pathfinder would collect more information in the first six hours of operation than what has been saved by every radio telescope in the world to date.

 

“The new supercomputer will help to process and manage the large amounts of data from ASKAP while also helping to develop the vital skills and support services needed to manage the even larger volumes of data produced by the SKA,” he said.

 

Along with radio astronomy, the new facility will also be an important tool for computational science in other research areas such as health research, climate science, marine and defence and geoinformatics, relevant to the oil and gas and resource industries.

 

Mr Buswell said these disciplines require high speed, data intensive modelling that only petascale computing, such as that found at the Pawsey Centre, could provide.

 

iVEC, headquartered at the Australian Resources Research Centre, Bentley Technology Park, is supported by the State Government through the Department of Commerce.

 

Minister's office  - 9222 9111
Date: 27/08/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:15:18 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132404 Joint statement - State Government invests in sustainable transport future. http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132398 Content:

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien today officially launched the State Centre for Research into Energy for Sustainable Transport (CREST) at Murdoch University.

 

Mr O’Brien said the State Government’s $2.29million investment in this important centre would enable Murdoch University to unite the State's leading researchers in transport fuels and technologies.

 

“Today’s transport industry faces many challenges, particularly with regards to the development and delivery of alternative transport fuels and markets,” he said.

 

“The State Government is committed to fostering the development of new transport technologies, improving environmental efficiencies and sustainable productivity is one way of doing this.”

 

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell, who provided $2.29million to CREST through the Centres of Excellence in Science and Innovation Program, said transport currently accounted for 14 per cent of national Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the third largest sector.

 

“We need more sustainable transport solutions.  Through organisations like CREST, we can begin to make an important contribution to this critical change,” Mr Buswell said.

 

“The State Government's partnership with CREST will meet the many challenges, both present and future, of providing energy for sustainable transport. I look forward to many successful research outcomes that will help us to achieve this objective.”

 

Mr O’Brien said CREST will also increase the State's capacity in vehicle emissions testing and transport-related economic life-cycle analyses.

 

“This facility will provide more relevant, timely information to policy makers to help increase community and government participation in developing national transport policy and strategy,” he said.

 

Transport Minister’s office - 9213 6400

Commerce Minister’s office - 9222 9111

Date: 26/08/2009
Minister: O'Brien;Buswell
Portfolio: Transport;Commerce
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:29:02 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132398 Small Business Advocate offers greater support and protection to industry http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132328 Content:

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell will establish a Small Business Advocate to advise and support small operators on commercial tenancy issues.

 

The move is part of the State Government’s support for small businesses in the transition to extended retail trading hours.

 

Mr Buswell said the advocate would work within the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and provide specialist advice to the business community.

 

“This service will further bolster the commercial tenancy advisory service and small business advocacy service currently provided by the SBDC,” he said.

 

“It is important small business operators know who to turn to for free, independent and impartial advice in relation to the rights of their business.”

 

The Small Business Advocate’s functions include:

 

·             provide advice to small businesses about the changes to the regulatory environment

·             clarify rights and obligations under the existing legislation

·             provide a subsidised mediation service and advice on legal rights and obligations.

 

The Minister said the service, with its specific focus on the area of tenancy and trading hours, came at the right time for business in Western Australia.

 

“A freecall 1800 telephone service and dedicated Small Business Advocate website will ensure advice and guidance is freely available to all who need it,” he said.

 

The Small Business Advocate is planned to be in place before the start of extended retail trading hours.

 

The move follows the State Government’s decision to boost retail tenancy protections for small business through changes to existing legislation.

 

Amendments to the Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreements Act 1985 are expected to be introduced to State Parliament next month.

 

The proposed reforms plan to:

 

·             allow tenants to make more informed leasing decisions by requiring landlords to include additional information in the disclosure statements provided to tenants

·             enhance security of tenure, protecting the rights of tenants with respect to renewal options and shopping centre redevelopments or relocations

·             improve the negotiating power of tenants by prohibiting landlords from passing on their legal fees to tenants

·             assist the preparation of more consistent and equitable rent reviews by requiring landlords and tenants to supply valuers with relevant leasing information.

 

The reforms aim to create a fair environment for retail tenants and ensure a fair and transparent framework in which both landlords and tenants can pursue their commercial interests.

 

Minister's office - 9222 9111
Date: 7/08/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:15:46 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132328 New RCD regulations to save lives http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132204 Content:

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell today said he hoped lives would be saved by new regulations requiring the installation of electrical safety devices in homes.

 

“New regulations which come into effect on August 9 will require all homes that are sold, and all rental properties, be fitted with Residual Current Devices (RCDs),” Mr Buswell said.

 

“In the past 17 years, 29 people, including eight children, have been electrocuted in homes in Western Australia.

 

“Tragically, 79 per cent - or 23 - of these deaths could have been prevented if RCDs had been fitted.

 

“The need for these regulations was brought to the attention of the former government in February 2003, but they unfortunately chose not to act on this issue.

 

“I am pleased we are implementing these regulations within our first year of Government, but it is a tragedy that many lives could have been saved had this been done sooner.”

 

An RCD is an electrical safety device fitted to the main switchboard of a house. If an imbalance in the electrical current is detected, it signals there is a leakage to earth and the RCD immediately cuts the electricity supply to avoid electrocution.

 

“Many people already have circuit breakers installed in their homes, to protect against overloading and short circuits,” the Minister said.

 

“However, these will not prevent electrocution. RCDs are the only devices that will.”

 

Mrs Denise Jammal, whose 12-year-old son Jay was killed by an electric shock at his home in January this year, attended today’s announcement.

 

Jay had been tinkering with an old juicer machine when the accident occurred. In that tragic incident, an RCD would have cut the power flow.

 

It has been compulsory since 2000 for all newly constructed homes to have two RCDs fitted as part of the initial electrical installation.

 

The new regulations, prepared under the Electricity Act 1945, require all homes which are sold to have two RCDs fitted before the property can be sold.

 

All rental properties must have two RCDs fitted before they can be re-leased. Where the rental property is not re-leased the RCDs must be fitted before August 2011.

 

For a home to be fully protected, it must have:

  • circuit breakers or fuses to interrupt the current flow if too many appliances are connected to a circuit or a short circuit occurs
  • at least two RCDs to prevent electrocution. The household circuits need to be divided evenly between two RCDs to ensure some light and power remain if one operates and cuts off the electricity. Two RCDs also reduce the likelihood of faulty operation.

 

The cost for a licensed electrical contractor to supply and install two-single phase RCDs on an average-sized 4x2 home is about $400-$500.

 

 “It is estimated, under this legislation, nearly 90 per cent of all housing stock will comply within 15 years, which will significantly reduce the number of deaths from electrocution,” Mr Buswell said.

 

“I encourage property owners to install these RCDs in any case, whether or not they plan to sell or lease.

 

“Having peace of mind about electrical safety is worth the cost, and the implementation of this legislation will all be worth it if just one life is saved.”

 

Electrical inspectors will monitor compliance with the regulations, and respond to complaints. Penalties of up to $15,000 for individuals and $100,000 for bodies corporate may apply if the RCDs are not fitted.

 

For more information visit the EnergySafety website at http://www.energysafety.wa.gov.au/RCD

 

Minister's office - 9222 9111
Date: 15/07/2009
Minister: Buswell
Portfolio: Commerce
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Peel;Pilbara;South Eastern Suburbs;South West;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:22:07 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132204