Current Issues

Federal Election 2010

Wong quizzed on Basin Plan delay

During a debate on ABC Radio over the future management of the Murray-Darling Basin, Senator Penny Wong reveals it wasn't her decision not to release the Basin Plan.

Click here to read about or listen to what was said.

Citrus Australia's policy statement

To secure the ongoing viability of the Australian Citrus industry and its economic contribution to the country, the following policy priorities are offered to assist parties and government leaders in the lead up to, and following, the federal election on 21 August 2010

• Export Market Access, Development and Promotion
• Quarantine and Biosecurity reform
• Water
• Research and Development
• Workplace Relations
• Horticulture Code of Conduct
• Climate Change
• Truth in Labelling

Click here to download our Federal Election Policy Statement in full.

Basin Plan Delayed

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority announces it will defer the release date of the Guide to the Proposed Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Click here to read the Media Release.

Citrus Australia responds to Basin Plan delay. Click here to read the Media Release.

Industrial Relations

Horticulture Industry Award 2010 (HIA 2010)

Download information including a checklist, guide and regional seminars - www.fairwork.gov.au/horticulture

On the 23rd December 2009, Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) released the amended Horticulture HIA 2010.

The rushed announcement and implementation on 1 January 2010 has not at all been helpful to horticultural employers.

In a nutshell *:

• The Horticulture Award 2010 took effect from 1 January 2010, except that any increases/decreases to monetary elements do not begin to take effect until 1 July 2010 (including increases/decreases to loadings, allowances and penalty rates).

• The National Employment Standards (NES) also took effect from 1 January, including the 38 hour week, and all elements of the NES must be implemented now. If you currently work on a 40 hour week, those additional two hours are now payable at overtime rates unless some arrangement is made.

• Employers will have five years from 1 July to implement the new monetary provisions and can introduce these at the rate of 20 per cent per year up to 2014.

• Employers must provide the Fair Work Information Statement to all new employees.

• The new HIA 2010 must be available and accessible to all staff (e.g. in a lunchroom).

• Employees will be able to request Individual Flexibility Arrangements (IFAs) under the HIA 2010.

• Workplace agreement in place? State and federal employers who have an approved or certified workplace agreement in place (Certified Agreement or Employee Collective Agreement) can continue to operate under those agreements until they expire and/or are terminated. The NES will apply, so that any term in an agreement that provides less than the NES will be void and the NES will apply as a default – this includes the 38 hour week. 

• Awaiting approval of your agreement? If you have negotiated a workplace agreement with your employees and are awaiting approval of certification, you should continue to operate under current provisions.

* Growcom Horticulture Now newsletter 27 January 2010

More information and analysis is available - click here

The Australian Government Fair Work Ombudsman is gearing up to undertake a national education and compliance program in the horticulture industry. This will include:

• Industry wide mail-out to horticultural employers
• Regional seminars
• Access to materials on FWO website and inrk.gov.au industry websites
• Telephone help on the Fair Work Infoline 13 13 94

From April to May 2010, Fair Work inspectors will target a random sample of employers in the horticultural industry for a compliance audit. They will work with the employer to resolve any issues if required.

Download further information by clicking:

Modern Awards

National Employment Standards (NES)

Australian Industrial Relations Commission (Horticulture Award 2010 - MA000028)

Fact Sheets

Pay, leave and conditions

Full details of the HIA 2010

Market Access

Citrus Australia has driven export market access achievements in China, Japan, USA and Korea

Citrus Australia supports USA Export Marketing arrangements.

Citrus Australia steers the Citrus to China committee.

AQIS Revise Inspection and Certification Fees for 2009/2010

Following strong feedback and representations from Citrus Australia and other key members of industry on the fees and charges model, AQIS revised their inspection and certification fees for 2009/10.

Increases in the AQIS fees are unavoidable for 2009/10 however a taskforce continues to work on a new model addressing proposing reforms in horticulture export charges and exploring ways in which costs can be reduced.

To view the 2009/10 Fees schedule, please click here

Mandatory Horticulture Code Update

Download HAC's submission to the Code Committee for the HAC Steering Committee’s ission).

Further information:

HAC website:    www.hac.org.au

DAFF website:   www.daff.gov.au/hortcode

ACCC website:  www.accc.gov.au