Australian model failed and had major anti-business implications
Jeff Rogut, CEO of the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) Three years ago legal tobacco products in Australia were unfairly targeted by nanny state plain packaging legislation. Research by leading organisations including KPMG have now concluded that it did nothing to reduce smoking rates but impacted retailers and small businesses heavily. In fact, the issue of what constitutes fair and reasonable tobacco regulation has been skewed as a result of plain packaging and excessive tax increases, the Australian Government no longer even bothers with the pretence that these measures improve healthcare outcomes. It’s an unbelievable position we find ourselves in and other countries should avoid it at all costs. Firstly, it should be noted that the regulatory environment for tobacco in Australia makes it impossible to accurately judge the impact of plain packaging solely on its merits. The exorbitant rate of tax – the Government in its latest budget…
Read MoreOpinion: Trudeau government should rethink pledge to introduce plain packaging for tobacco
Jeff Rogut http://vancouversun.com June 2, 2016 In Australia, cigarettes have to be sold in identical olive-brown packets bearing the same typeface and largely covered with graphic health warnings, with the same style of writing so the only identifier of a brand will be the name on the package. WILLIAM WEST / AFP/Getty Images Share Adjust Comment Print For nearly four years, legal tobacco products in Australia have been sold in plain packaging. It comes as no surprise to retailers that the effects of the policy over this time are vastly different to the legislation’s initial intentions. In fact, the issue of what constitutes fair and reasonable tobacco regulation has been skewed as a result of plain packaging and excessive excise increases, the Australian government no longer even bothers with the pretence that these measures have anything to do with improving health. It’s a preposterous position we find ourselves in Australia and one,…
Read More“Looking Back to the Future” at The Distributors Mid-Year Conference and Trade Show
Celebrating 35 years, The Distributors “Looking Back to the Future” themed Mid-Year Conference and Trade Show was a resounding success for The Distributors Members, Management Team, Suppliers and Customers. Held over 3 days, May 4 to 6, Rydges Fortitude Valley Brisbane hosted The Distributors Conference with the Retailer and Member Trade Shows at the nearby heritage façade Royal International Convention Centre. The Retailer Trade Show attracted over 300 Convenience and Route Customers providing the opportunity for Members and Suppliers to interface with their customers. Customers came ready to place orders as Suppliers offered over and above deals on their products. The Wholesaler Trade Show followed in the afternoon, which hosted 55 exhibitors showcasing new product lines, product innovations and trends. The day wrapped up with an evening cocktail hour. During the conference, The Distributors Members gathered for business sessions as well as supplier presentations with a focus on future NPD…
Read MoreIt's the end of energy and transportation as we know it': Tony Seba
Angela Macdonald-Smith May 24, 2016 The Age Within just 15 years conventional energy production and transport will have been rendered obsolete by the revolution taking place in batteries, solar power and electric cars. The startling thesis by energy disruption guru and Stanford University lecturer Tony Seba has been around for a couple of years but after originally being dismissed as crazy, is now catching serious attention from investors. There is “no excuse” for any board of a utility in Australia not to know what’s coming, he says, outlining a world with little centralised power generation, 100 per cent electric vehicles and minimal private car ownership. ”It’s the end of energy and transportation as we know it, and it’s coming very quickly,” Mr Seba said at the start of a week of investor meetings in Australia. “It’s going to be over by 2030; it has started already.” Mr Seba’s thesis is…
Read MoreReserve Bank announces new rules for card payments
JOHN CONROY MAY 26, 2016 THE AUSTRALIAN Retailers will no longer be able to slug customers with excessive surcharges on credit and debit card payments under new rules set out by the Reserve Bank. From September 1, surcharges will be limited to the amount it costs the retailer to accept a card for a transaction. “Merchants will not be able to impose high fixed-amount surcharges on low-value transactions, as has been typical for airlines,” the RBA said. The new limits will be linked to the direct costs of the payment method, such as bank fees and terminal costs. The changes will apply to ‘large merchants’ — those with revenue of more than $25 million — this year and will come into effect for all other merchants on September 1 next year. The new surcharging law arose out of a recommendation in the final report of the Financial System Inquiry which…
Read MoreBosses who don't pay minimum wage won't be named amid fears staff will ATTACK them
JACK BLANCHARD 25 MAY 2016 Mirror UK Ministers are bowing to pleas from rogue employers to keep their names secret Bosses failing to pay the minimum wage are escaping being ‘named and shamed’ – by claiming angry workers will attack them. Ministers are bowing to pleas from rogue employers to keep their names secret, allowing them to exploit a loophole that they face ‘a risk of personal harm’. A Government source defended the policy, saying: “There is a risk that people will threaten them, or attack them – or go to their homes.” But the secrecy was condemned by Kevin Brennan , Labour’s trade spokesman, who said: “This seems an extraordinary excuse. “Why are these employers who fail to pay the legal minimum wage given special treatment when others who break the law are not? Kevin Brennan, Labour MP for Cardiff West piggateKevin Brennan has condemned the secrecy “The public…
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