The Business Investment in New Technologies survey confirmed the need for Government to boost the understanding of small-to-medium businesses concerning the opportunities provided by the NBN. While businesses are preparing to train their workforces and recruit staff as the network expands, only 30% reported having a high or medium degree of information about the practical impacts of faster broadband.

Further, just over 50% of businesses reported that they were adequately prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that may arise - a result that compares poorly to a similar survey in 2008, when 80% provided that response. This would seem to suggest that, as awareness of the NBN's applications and opportunities has grown, there has been a corresponding fall in confidence among businesses that they are capable of taking advantage.

The survey also emphasised the need for the Government to closely monitor its new R&D tax incentive and be ready to respond to any shortcomings that become apparent. Of businesses that made use of the previous R&D Tax Concession, more than a quarter expressed concern that the recent changes would be negative for their business. A similar number expected a positive impact, but many expressed uncertainty.

Read our press release for further information about the survey and its recommendations, or read the report in full.

The Australian Government has commissioned a White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century to consider the likely economic and strategic changes in the region and the implications and opportunities for Australia.

Ai Group will make a submission as part of the consultation process being conducted by a Task Force commissioned by the Prime Minister. To assist in the preparation of submissions, the Task Force Advisory Panel has released an Issues Paper outlining broad issues to prompt further discussion, together with terms of reference about governance and timelines, and the public consultation process.

Members wishing to contribute issues for inclusion in the submission should contact Rebecca Walker before Thursday, February 16.

The Government's Fair Work Act Review Panel released its Discussion Paper yesterday, containing a series of questions that will provide some focus for the Review.

Ai Group said the discussion paper was "useful, as far as it goes", but stressed it is vital the Review Panel focus on the economic imperatives. "The interests of workers and employers lie in a strong economy, competitive businesses and a flexible labour market," said Ai Group Chief Executive, Heather Ridout. "The barriers to productivity and flexibility in the Act need to be removed."

Such barriers identified by Ai Group include:

• Provisions restricting the engagement of contractors and on-hire workers;
• The lack of a workable form of agreement providing flexibility to employers and individual employees;
• Increased union power, including the ability for unions to disturb lawful and fair workplace arrangements supported by a majority of employees;
• Ill-conceived transfer of business provisions; and
• General Protections provisions that are too loose and uncertain.

Ai Group is preparing its submissions for the Review, which will be filed by the February 17 deadline.

Read our press release

If your state/territory implemented the new Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws on January 1 (NSW, QLD, ACT, NT, Commonwealth Public Service) you need to act fast to understand and comply with your obligations. If you operate in one of the delayed jurisdictions (VIC, WA, SA, TAS), many of the requirements within the Act and Regulations can be applied now, enhancing the management of health and safety in your business.

Ai Group is offering an interactive seminar in a number of locations in February, reviewing the finalised Act and Regulations and demonstrating compliance requirements, whether they be immediate or for the future.

Find further information and register now

Australia's most ambitious trade deal to date, the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), is now in force for all 12 signatories: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

AANZFTA is Australia's first multi-country FTA and also represents the first time ASEAN has embarked on FTA negotiations covering all sectors including goods, services, investment and intellectual property simultaneously.

Key interests and benefits for Australian exporters and investors include:

• Extensive tariff reduction and elimination commitments;
• Regional rules of origin will provide new opportunities for Australian exporters to tap into international supply chains in the region;
• Promotes greater certainty for Australian service suppliers and investors, including through certain legal protections for investment in ASEAN territories;
• Provides a platform for ongoing economic engagement with ASEAN through a range of built-in agendas, economic cooperation projects and business outreach activities.

Comprehensive details about AANZFTA are available online, including a guide to making use of AANZFTA to export or import goods.

The Government's highest priority concerning regional trade negotiation is the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). This agreement will build on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (P4) between Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore, established in 2006. The TPP includes the P4 Parties as well as Australia, Peru, the USA, Vietnam and Malaysia.

The TPP has the potential to form a building block for Asia-Pacific regional economic integration. It is in Australia's interests to be involved in order to shape the direction of the initiative.

Japan, Canada and Mexico have now also formally expressed interest in joining the TPP negotiations. Ai Group will be making a submission as part of the consultation process with stakeholders regarding the possible involvement of Japan, Canada and Mexico in the TPP. Members who would like to contribute issues for inclusion in the submission should contact Rebecca Walker before February 3.

Ai Group will soon be launching a salary and benefits survey, which will report on:

• Detailed salary and benefits data across a broad range of industries;
• Key award and non-award positions covering multiple industry sectors;
• Staff turnover and workforce resourcing reports; and
• Economic and labour market trends.

Participation will be easy via an online questionnaire. As a participant, you will enjoy significant discounts for your contribution when purchasing the survey report, and as a member of Ai Group you will also benefit from member discounted rates.

Find further information, or register your participation.

• Fair Work Act Review Discussion Paper Is Useful, As Far As It Goes
• Business Investment In New Technologies: Improving Business Performance
• Ai Group comment on co-investment in Ford upgrade

Economic indicators

Ai Group's regular monthly economic performance indices across manufacturing (Australian PMI®), construction (Australian PCI®) and services (Australian PSI®) were released earlier this month. Read the latest reports now.

Managing Performance

Adelaide, February 10
Melbourne, February 15
Merrylands, February 21
Wollongong, March 6
Newcastle, March 15

This one day program has two key themes: getting the best out of your people through appropriate performance management to ensure that employees' activities and outputs are congruent with the organisation's goals; and minimising the risk of successful claims being made against your business when termination does occur.

Case studies, role plays, and practical tasks are an integral component of the program to ensure participants get the most out of the day.

And don't forget, Ai Group's training calendars for 2012 are now available!