AS we near the end of 2013 it is worth looking back on that has been a challenging but productive year for the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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With the pressure of our day-to-day responsibilities it is often easy to overlook the efforts made to support members and Tasmanian business generally and the progress made over the past 12 months. For example, more than 450 members participated in our training programs and our industrial relations division provided consultancy services for 335 Tasmanian businesses and answered more than 800 helpline calls. We rebuilt our industrial relations and training services and also enhanced our membership packages, as well as introduced a new range of commercial products representing great value for members.
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The TCCI hosted approximately 2400 people at functions through the year and supported Tasmanian exporters by providing 2266 Certificates of Origin to further promote our State brand on international markets. It was certainly an outstanding year for our exporters, with Tasmanian firms winning two of the six categories in the national Tradestart Exporter of the Year Awards, proving yet again that Tasmania continues to ‘punch well above its weight’.
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We moved to new premises in Hobart and Launceston, further consolidating our operations and increasing efficiency to the benefit of members. The TCCI welcomed two new Board Members, UTAS Professor Gary O’ Donovan and leading transport operator John DeBruyen. New staff members, Kristen Finnigan and Abbey Guilbert in Launceston and Crystal Garwood in Devonport joined the team and continue to enhance our service to members. On the education and training front, the TCCI signed important memoranda of understanding with UTAS, TasTafe and Skills Tasmania. These initiatives will ensure that business has vital input to skills outcomes into the future. The availability of properly trained employees is one of the key concerns of business as evidenced in our quarterly Tasmanian Survey of Business Expectations and these arrangements will give us valuable input as both the private and public sectors work to meet the future challenges that confront us.
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The TCCI was instrumental in developing the Tasmanian Chamber Alliance with the Burnie, Central Coast, King Island, Devonport, West Tamar, Georgetown, Nothern Midlands and Orford / Triabunna Chambers joining as inaugural members. Importantly, we strengthened our national links by reinforcing our relationships with the New South Wales Business Council and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These enhanced relationships are already benefiting members through access to a wider range of services and national advocacy initiatives.
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The TCCI continued to be at the forefront in advocacy to assist Tasmanian business and the economy. At the request of Premier Lara Giddings, we organised and facilitated the Jobs’ Forum in August that resulted in positive changes to government procurement, a boost for new home builders, support for developer headworks changes, aged care initiatives and a reduction in red and green tape that is stifling business. Our skills forum generated improved links between industry and the education sector and following the TCCI’s strong representations, the payroll tax threshold was lifted with the State Government finally recognising the negative impact of the tax on employment generation. The TCCI succeeded in firmly placing the operations of Tasmania’s government business enterprises (GBEs) on the public agenda. Our view is that the GBEs should work to benefit Tasmanian economic activity and not be used as a mechanism to boost State Treasury’s coffers.
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One of our biggest efforts during the year was to partner the national Chamber movement in the Small Business Too Big to Ignore campaign that for the first time, saw the sector at the forefront of the national political agenda in the lead-up to the federal election and encouraged both major parties to develop comprehensive small business policies. We intend to continue this campaign in Tasmania as the state election approaches.
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On a personal front, I drove more than 50,000 kilometres throughout Tasmania, made four interstate visits, delivered more than 30 speeches and presentations and gave some 150 media interviews. The TCCI received prominent coverage on a range of issues in Tasmanian media, as well as nationally through the ABC, Sky News, the Australian, Australian Financial Review and other publications. We even featured in the prestigious Wall Street Journal, providing a commentary of the Tasmanian economy just prior to the Federal election.
So, as you can imagine, it has been a busy year for the TCCI and we look forward to building on this over the next 12 months.
I would like to extend to all TCCI members my very best wishes for a safe and happy festive season and a successful and profitable New Year. No doubt many challenges will confront Tasmanian business through 2014 and beyond and the TCCI is determined to provide the leadership and support to assist members as we move forward.
Merry Christmas!
Michael Bailey
Chief Executive Officer