Fresh Source Winter 2016 Issue54

ISSUE 55

WINTER 2016 MAGAZINE OF BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED

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TOP AWARD

for wholesaler

OLYMPIAN’S healthy message

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Your source of fresh information for the fruit and vegetable industry Print post approved pp 100001181

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CEO COMMENT It’s with enormous pleasure that our Brisbane Markets® community celebrates three big acknowledgements from the community and our peers.

Congratulations goes to Brismark Chairman and industry stalwart Gary Lower who has received the highest wholesaler accolade in Australia, the 2016 Meritorious Service Award for his contribution to the industry.

In June, Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) was recognised by the Queensland Community Foundation as the 2016 Queensland Corporate Philanthropist of the Year for its long history of supporting the community, involving multiple charities.

Also in June, Queensland vegetable grower and director of Brisbane Markets’® wholesaler Franklin Bros, Rob Hinrichsen was named the 2016 AUSVEG Grower of the Year.

Read more about it on pages 6 and 7.

ELECTION SPOTLIGHT The sheer number of political visitors to the Brisbane Markets® in the lead up to the 2 July 2016 election is a positive for the Central Market system, with our importance being openly acknowledged by the major parties.

From the first day of campaigning in May, right through to the last week of campaigning in June, the activity of the Markets attracted the attention of politicians

It gave us extraordinary access to speak about our industry issues, including the much maligned Horticulture Code of Conduct.

Some rural lobby groups had hoped to use the election to push politicians to commit to the more controversial recommendations made by the Code Review Panel before any consultation by the Federal Government had occurred, however, this push was thankfully resisted by our leaders.

I congratulate our new and reelected leaders and look forward to further meetings on industry issues, even without the media spotlight of an election campaign.

BRISMARK’S 75 YEARS Brismark has celebrated its 75th anniversary with a morning tea, unveiling of a commemorative display in the Arch Martin Brisbane Markets® History Room and staging of 40 year service award presentation to some of the longer serving members of our Brisbane Markets® community.

The organisation has left its mark over the generations, actively working with the Brisbane Markets® wholesaling sector to strengthen its position as a pivotal player in the fresh produce supply chain.

Watch out for a full feature and wrap up of Brismark’s anniversary celebrations in a special edition Fresh Source magazine due for release in Spring.

BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED ABN 39 064 983 017 PO Box 80, Brisbane Markets®, Rocklea, Queensland 4106 e: admin@brisbanemarkets.com.au w: www.brisbanemarkets.com.au ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES The Editor, Brisbane Markets Limited p: 07 3915 4200 or 1800 631 002 e: admin@brisbanemarkets.com.au DESIGN Effigy p: 07 3040 4343 | PRINT Buckner Printing p: 07 3865 9677

STRENGTH OF INDUSTRY OWNERSHIP The strength of industry-based ownership of the Brisbane Markets® has long been part of the success of Brisbane Markets Limited, making it the target of a now failed takeover bid.

Sydney-based private equity firm, VGI Partners, could not gain traction to lure enough wholesalers and shareholders into selling out during its eight-month unsolicited and hostile takeover bid.

While it is concerning to think of the disruption caused to business and relationships, it has consolidated the view that our Board and shareholders have that industry based ownership is still the only way to continue the success of Queensland’s largest fresh produce hub.

OLYMPIAN ALANA BOYD WELCOME It’s with pleasure that Brisbane Markets® has welcomed Olympian Alana Boyd who has agreed to assist us promoting the healthy eating message in the lead up to and after the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Alana is Australia’s champion pole vaulter and a great influence on those around her, spruiking eating healthy fresh produce as one of her key weapons in preparing for the games.

Read more about her involvement on page 7.

Andrew Young, Chief Executive Officer, BML and Brismark Fresh Source is the magazine of Brisbane Markets Limited. New editions of the magazine are printed quarterly. Advertising and editorial inquiries are welcome and media outlets are invited to use material with or without acknowledgement. Fresh Source is printed on Australian made recycled stock.

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updates WINTER HEATS UP SOME CASH! While the temperature drops, things are heating up for the Your Local Fruit Shop (YLFS) program.

Brisbane Markets® runs the YLFS program to bring greengrocers together to collectively tell the world about what they have to offer when it comes to great customer service and quality, value fruit and vegetables.

The winter campaign is a big one, with customers in-to-win $5,000 cash just by buying Queensland-grown produce during July and August.

Five prizes of $5,000 is up for grabs in this year’s major competition – that’s one major prize per YLFS region – as well as $100 Your Local Fruit Shop vouchers for each store.

Check out more on page 18 or visit www.yourlocalfruitshop.com.au

MARKING BRISMARK’S 75 YEARS June has turned out to be a big month for Brismark, the Brisbane Markets® wholesaler service organisation, which celebrates 75 years as a vital part of the Queensland horticulture industry.

The first of the major celebrations was held on 30 June with a commemorative morning tea, to congratulate Brisbane Markets® workers who have spent more than 40 years of their careers onsite.

The soiree drew former Brismark executive members and Brisbane Produce Market employees back to raise a glass to the many years they had personally contributed to the organisation’s success.

Watch out for a special edition Spring Fresh Source magazine dedicated to the anniversary.

A carved watermelon etched out a welcome to attendees to Brismark 75 years anniversary morning tea. The event included recognising Brisbane Markets® employees with 40 year service awards and the unveiling of a 75 years of Brismark display on show in the Arch Martin Brisbane Markets® History Room.

WORLD WHOLESALE MARKET EXECUTIVES HEAD SOUTH In 1989, Brisbane Markets® became the focal point for the World Union of Wholesale Markets Congress (WUWM) international congress, a bi-annual event that attracts marketplace executives from across the world.

The conference is to return to Australia in 2017 with the Melbourne Market Authority and Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market to host the event, with optional visits to Sydney’s Flemington and Haymarket sites.

Planning is underway with dates and congress field trips and program yet to be finalised.

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CONTENTS 4

Fresh Updates 4 4 4 5 5

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Fresh Markets 6 Recognition for our community’s generosity 6 Top wholesaler honour for Brismark chair 7 Wholesaler wins AUSVEG Queensland Grower of the Year 7 A sneaky, better tasting partnership 7 Olympian powers healthy eating 8 Mother’s Day rush a bunch of business 8 Safety search for Forklift Operator of the Year 9 $6 million renovation a dramatic transformation 9 LED screen welcome 10 Brisbane Markets® a Federal election focus 10 ACCC workshop touches on Code 10 New State opposition agriculture minister

RAISE YOUR GLASSES TO A FUN NIGHT It’s time to raise your glasses to the biggest night on the Brisbane Markets® social calendar with the staging of the annual Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner on Friday, 29 July.

This year Australian musical comedy act Tripod will be adding an entertaining spotlight to the big night of fine food and beverage at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This year features Brismark’s 75th anniversary celebrations, the Carter & Spencer Group 80 years anniversary and there is a Diabetes Queensland silent auction For last minute tickets, visit tinyurl.com/j2fyp7u and for information, contact Wendy Utz on 07 3915 4266 or email wutz@brisbanemarkets.com.au.

The trio, Scod (Scott Edgar), Yon (Simon Hall) and Gatesy (Steven Gates) will be joined by other great performers including unusualist (shadow puppet, ventriloquist and comedian) Raymond Crowe, popular dance band Magic Carpet Ride and the annual Brisbane Markets® Fun in the Markets DVD.

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Feature: Horticulture Code of Conduct 11 11 12 13 13

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STRENGTH OF INDUSTRY OWNERSHIP VGI Partners has called off its hostile $150 million takeover bid for the Brisbane Markets® after failing to convince shareholders the industry-owned operation would be better in the Sydney based private equity fund manager’s hands.

The strength of the Brisbane Markets industry-based ownership has seen shareholders receive record operating profit for the year ended 30 June 2015 along with consistent growth since taking ownership from the Queensland Government in 2002. ®

Brisbane Markets Limited Chairman Tony Joseph said that continued profits, teamed with strategic development over the years, have shown that industry-based ownership is the most effective way to manage the Market’s future.

Horticulture Code not a political stunt Commercial approach must apply FMA comments on Code recommendations Real-time price reporting would be a cost impost What the Review Panel really said

Feature: Conferences

18 The members of Australian comedy band Tripod will raise their glasses at the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner on 29 July.

Winter heats up some cash!

Marking Brismark’s 75 years World wholesale market executives head south Raise your glasses to a fun night Strength of industry ownership

Industry convention a national drawcard Tradeshow showcases fresh produce markets Central Markets heads meet Queenslanders on the winning list 2016 Fresh Connections conference Unprecedented line-up of speakers Mentoring the next generation Trading floor tour Caught on camera Adelaide in 2017

Fresh Retailing 18 What’s the buzz on BuyFruit?

18 Transporting a great marketing idea 18 It’s the digital age – time to embrace it!

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Bree in Bundaberg hort’s top job Preparing for a busy harvest State politicians sample Bundaberg Hort movers and shakers Wholesaler mergers and sales Embracing the technology age Lockyer Valley growers host national expo

Fresh Business 26 Is superannuation Dead?

26 Food safety boost 28 Employee induction – getting it right!

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Fresh Export

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30 Export one-stop-shop portal launched 30 Who is AHEA? 30 Nominations called for export awards

Fresh Calendar

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markets RECOGNITION FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S GENEROSITY When it comes to giving, the Brisbane Markets® community is the best – and now we have the award to prove it!

from Clayfield Markets Fresh, who are passionate supporters of the Brisbane Markets’® fundraising events and are the former Mango King and Queen.

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) has been recognised by the Queensland Community Foundation as the 2016 Queensland Corporate Philanthropist of the Year.

He said the funds raised have impacted the charities and their programs providing essential funds to Queenslanders in need.

BML has a long history of supporting the community, involving multiple charities with more than $1 million donated through its fundraising activities, such as the iconic Brisbane Markets® Mango Auction, since 2002.

BML CEO Andrew Young accepted the award, aided by independent retailers Carlo and Susan Lorenti,

BML was nominated by its Platinum Charity Partners, Diabetes Queensland who have been working with BML and members of the Your Local Fruit Shop program since 2013.

Representatives from fellow charity Mango Auction recipients, Life Education Queensland, were also on hand to add support.

Accepting the 2016 Queensland Corporate Philanthropist of the Year award, Brisbane Markets® CEO Andrew Young (right) is joined by (from left) donors Susan and Carlo Lorenti, of Clayfield Markets Fresh, and recipient representative, Diabetes Queensland CEO Michelle Trute.

TOP WHOLESALER HONOUR FOR BRISMARK CHAIR Brismark chairman and industry stalwart Gary Lower, of J Allen Pty Ltd, has received the highest wholesaler accolade in Australia, the 2016 Meritorious Service Award for his contribution to the industry.

2016 Meritorious Service Award recipient Gary Lower.

The Fresh Produce Australia (FMA) honour was awarded to Mr Lower for his strong and loyal commitment to the marketing and wholesaling sector in our Central Markets, in particular Brisbane.

It paid thanks to his work with government to advance the horticultural industry, his business and professional ethics and his proven business success.

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Mr Lower is a staunch supporter of FMA and the Central Markets push for a fairer, more workable and cost effective mandatory Horticulture Code of Conduct.

FMA Deputy Chairman, Hamish Montague, paid tribute to Mr Lower, thanking him for his tireless effort to unify the industry.

“Gary is one to shy away from the limelight, not wanting to take credit when credit is most definitely due,” Mr Montague said.

“This humbleness is what makes him one of our industry’s most passionate stalwarts. When Gary speaks, others listen,” he said.

WHOLESALER WINS AUSVEG QUEENSLAND GROWER OF THE YEAR Queensland vegetable grower and Brisbane Markets’® Franklin Bros director Rob Hinrichsen is the 2016 AUSVEG Grower of the Year.

Mr Hinrichsen, who farms from his business Kalfresh, in Kalbar, received the award at the 2016 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner at RACV Royal Pines in June.

For more information on the National Horticulture Convention and other Queensland winners, turn to pages 14 and 15.

Franklin Bros director Rob Hinrichsen.

A SNEAKY, BETTER TASTING PARTNERSHIP Australian Mushrooms have launched its “Made much better with mushrooms” campaign encouraging every day cooks to make their favourite meals healthier and tastier in seconds just by adding mushrooms.

Check out the health benefits and recipes at www.australianmushrooms.com.au.

Meanwhile, Onions Australia has launched a secret plan of its own to lift onion intake by encouraging parents to sneak in onions into family meals to increase their children’s vegetable intake.

The onion industry has produced recipes, tips and tricks on storage and preparation and also partnered with the mushroom industry to collaborate on in-store cooking demonstrations.

OLYMPIAN POWERS HEALTHY EATING Expect to see a lot more of Olympian Alana Boyd, Australia’s champion pole vaulter, in the lead up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, not just for her athletic prowess but her love of fruit and vegetables.

The athlete has become the face of Brisbane Produce Market, stepping in to promote the Your Local Fruit Shop retailer program and is Brisbane Markets® new healthy eating ambassador.

The Brisbane Markets® community will follow Ms Boyd’s Olympic campaign with the elite athlete expected to make further visits to the trading floor to find out more about the origins of the fresh produce that fuels her.

Ms Boyd dropped into the Brisbane Produce Market during trading time to explore the origins of the fresh produce that fuel her and to thank the wholesalers and local fruit shop owners for their support.

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MOTHER’S DAY RUSH A BUNCH OF BUSINESS Thousands of people found their way into the Brisbane Flower Market in May for one of the biggest Mother’s Day weekends of trade seen in some years.

Four generations of one family were among the crowds, pushing a pram, armfuls of bouquets and smiles all around at the Sherwood Road, Rocklea wholesale flower hub.

Great grandmother Patricia Buckham, grandmother Sharon Buckham, new mum Marissa Klazema and her baby Ivy scooped up bouquets of chrysanthemums, carnations, red and cottage style roses, gerberas, and sunflowers keeping with the more traditional offerings.

However, it was the more random flower bunches that were keeping the florists busily restocking with tulips, planted philonopsis orchid pots, cymbidium, Australian natives, gardenia being pulled together into colourful posies or large armfuls of buds.

Brisbane Flower Market extended its hours to accommodate the influx of visitors hunting down a flowery gift for Mum but has since returned to its regular hours of 5.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday and from 6am to 1pm on weekends.

Contestant Lui (Wati) Etevati manoeuvres his forklift through the obstacle course, helping take out third place in last year’s change. Multiple forklift driving skills and understanding the safety rules are required to earn a place in the 2016 event in August.

SAFETY SEARCH FOR FORKLIFT OPERATOR OF THE YEAR Brisbane Markets® has begun its annual search for its Forklift Operator the Year with a grand finale planned for Wednesday, 31 August.

It’s the second year the event has been staged with the grand finale drawing a strong crowd of in 2015.

Over three weeks, forklift operators will compete for prizes while raising awareness of the importance of safety in the workplace.

Drivers will be awarded points for displaying safe forklift driving habits while negotiating the course, rather than how quickly they completed it.

Last year’s event saw David Macdonald, of Regas Enterprises, take out the award, closely followed by second place recipient, Justin Brady, of Keith Lind Pty Ltd and third place recipient Lui (Wati) Etevati, of Murray Bros.

The competition is held in association with Toyota Material Handling and CHEP who work with the drivers of more than 400 registered forklifts on the Sherwood Road, Rocklea site.

DID YOU KNOW?

It takes multiple skills for Brisbane Markets® forklift drivers to make the final rounds of the Forklift Operator the Year competition.

Four generations of the one family at the Brisbane Flower Market for Mother’s Day: (from left) Grandmother Sharon Buckham, new mum Marissa Klazema and her baby Ivy with great grandmother Patricia Buckham.

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During the tension-filled grand final, the forklift drivers must negotiate a final obstacle course that saw a challenging layout test the best of skills in forklift operation.

The recently opened G2 building, the new home of Anytime Fitness, Market Organics and Rebalance Pilates and Yoga.

$6 MILLION RENOVATION A DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION Brisbane Markets® aging industrial building G2 is complete having undergone a dramatic transformation following its $6 million redevelopment.

About 60% of the space was pre-leased to a gym, organic supermarket and a yogalates studio with the businesses drawing a new vibrancy and colour to the Sherwood Roard, Rocklea commercial centre.

External rendering and glazing works have transformed the 1964 building.

The contemporary design incorporates elements of the original building façade and stands amid an improved streetscape including redesigned footpaths, new road surfaces, landscaping and parking.

The architectural team has incorporated an impressive number of windows into the design to modernise the appearance of the building and allow for natural light to penetrate throughout.

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) CEO Andrew Young said BML had invested in excess of $110 million in upgrading and developing the iconic Markets precinct.

He said the latest phase of development is aimed at reinvigorating the commercial precinct, transforming the Markets’ entrance and drawing people to the Sherwood Road site.

LED SCREEN WELCOME Visitors to the Brisbane Markets® are being welcomed by an eye-catching high tech LED display screen to grab the attention of visitors and workers on site.

Brisbane Markets Limited will use the screen to keep tenants and Brisbane Markets® users up-to-date on events, planned works and Market news.

The screen also displays important safety information.

A safety message lights up the entry to the Brisbane Produce Market on a new LED sign.

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BRISBANE MARKETS® A FEDERAL ELECTION FOCUS Brisbane Markets® had its fair share of political guests leading up to the Federal election.

Just hours after calling the Federal election in May, all eyes were on the Brisbane Produce Market as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull launched his two month campaign with a walk on the trading floor.

An entourage of more than 50 media representatives bustled along amid the hat bins of melons and cartons of leafy vegetables as the Prime Minister stopped to chat with wholesalers and buyers along the way.

In May, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (centre) and Liberal National Party candidate for Moreton, Nic Monsour (right) talks with wholesaler Paul Joseph on the Brisbane Produce Market selling floor.

It was not the first visit of a politician leading up to the 2 July election.

Images of the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor were beamed across Australia by the media pack. Others saw it from a distance when they called into the pop up Australian Electoral Commission Polling Place in Building G2.

OTHER POLITICAL VISITS Federal Minister for Wright, Scott Buchholz walked through the Brisbane Produce Market to meet with Market users and to discuss the challenges facing the industry.

The LNP Candidate for Moreton, Nic Monsour, also visited in May, and returned in June for a private function with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Steven Ciobo.

STATE LEVEL On a state level, Queensland Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Grace Grace, took a Brisbane Produce Market walk and held talks with her focus to discuss Queensland Safe Work and Return to Work Awards.

ACCC WORKSHOP TOUCHES ON CODE Brisbane Markets® joined members of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) new Agriculture Consultative Committee in June, to contribute to a regional meeting focused on the horticulture and viticulture industries.

Workshops were held across Australia with Brismark General Manager Gail Woods representing the Central Markets wholesalers at the Toowoomba event.

Concerns over the lack of action to amend the controversial and anticompetitive Horticulture Code of Conduct were once again raised.

Find out more about the Code and the lack of progress made since the Horticulture Code of Review Report on pages 11-13, www.freshmarkets.com.au or read the feature in the Autumn Fresh Source found at www.brisbanemarkets.com.au/publications/fresh-source/

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Brisbane Markets® CEO Andrew Young speaks with Federal Minister for Wright, Scott Buchholz during a visit in May.

NEW STATE OPPOSITION AGRICULTURE MINISTER A reshuffle of the Queensland Government opposition in May has seen Member for Burdekin, Dale Last, appointed the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

He replaces the now Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.

Mr Last grew up in the cane fields of Bundaberg where his family still has ties to the sugar and cattle industries.

He is a former Councillor and Deputy Mayor with Townsville City Council.

He currently works from Ayr and his details are: Shop 30 Centrepoint Arcade, Queen Street AYR QLD 4807 Phone: (07) 4767 0500 Fax: (07) 4767 0509 Email: Burdekin@parliament.qld.gov.au

Horticulture Code of Conduct HORTICULTURE CODE NOT A POLITICAL STUNT The Federal election may be over, but not without Brisbane Markets® joining its Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) partners in the lead up to the 2 July event in warning politicians they were being drawn into the Horticulture Code of Conduct issue through a campaign “stunt”.

FMA is the peak body representing fruit and vegetable wholesalers across Australia, with its secretariat based at the Brisbane Markets®.

COMMERCIAL APPROACH MUST APPLY In responding to the Horticulture Code of Conduct Review, the wholesaling sector stressed its support for wholesalers (traders) and growers having good commercial relationships.

Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) is the peak industry organisation representing the wholesalers.

It supported: • the use of documented terms of trade • the need for established and agreed payment terms • a dispute resolution processes, where disputes must be reported promptly, and • access to commercial options in how growers sell their product, subject to the arrangement being in writing - including the use of a documented method of determining the return made to the grower.

A number of rural lobby groups became vocal leading up to the election, deliberately muddying the waters of public discussion, calling for “mandatory real-time price reporting” at fruit and vegetable wholesale markets.

In fact, it was not one of the 13 recommendations the Independent Review of the Horticulture Code of Conduct made to the Federal Government.

With the election completed, FMA is seeking the government to undertake industry consultation on the 13 recommendations produced last year.

FMA Executive Director, Andrew Young, said although FMA broadly supported 10 of the 13 recommendations, significant work needed to be done to ensure that any resultant revised Code was effective, workable and fair.

Turn to pages 12 and 13 for FMA’s position on the 13 recommendations.

What that means is that the Code promotes better business practices built around an expectation that parties to a transaction will communicate, they will establish a business relationship and importantly, they will raise issues if they have a complaint.

FMA says growers need to build a relationship with their wholesaler and be prepared to change wholesalers if they don’t have confidence in the commercial relationships they establish. They should go elsewhere if that business relationship is not working.

Recent claims made in a joint Growcom media release of ongoing “systemic” issues with Market wholesalers following an absence of action and a lack of dialogue over many years, together with the low incidence of grower complaints, make it difficult not to question the timing of their claims.

FMA has highlighted that with over 400 Market Wholesalers in Australia, there is choice and there is competition.

There are also a range of services offered through each Market including Market Price Reporting Services, grower information, produce testing services and grower complaints investigation services.

Fundamental to having a workable Code of Conduct is an underlying requirement that all parties are expected to act commercially.

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FMA COMMENTS ON CODE RECOMMENDATIONS Fresh Markets Australia’s (FMA) position on the 13 recommendations is as follows: RECOMMENDATION 1.

That the Horticulture Code be amended to remove the distinction between an agent and a merchant.

That all transactions meet specific transparency requirements to be included in a revised Horticulture Code (explored further at Appendix A).

FMA opposes this recommendation. We do not understand how this recommendation can operate. Further information is required.

RECOMMENDATION 5.

That the government explore the inclusion of deeming provisions in the Horticulture Code to ensure that where a pre-existing contract is not in place, and where a HPA is provided by a trader or sought by a grower, that the intent of the parties to enter into a HPA is deemed to have occurred. Such provisions should ensure that parties have time to arrange their affairs and that no party can use such provisions to enforce unfair contract terms.

FMA supports the recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION 6.

That the Horticulture Code be amended to require that where a HPA does not include specific quality specifications, FreshSpecs specifications be used as the default.

FMA supports the recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION 2.

That a standard form horticulture produce agreement (HPA) be annexed to the Horticulture Code, to be used as the minimum basis for trade in horticulture produce between growers and traders.

FMA partially supports in principle the recommendation. The Code should not however, prescribe the nature of the transaction. It should not be used.

RECOMMENDATION 7.

That the Horticulture Code be amended to remove the current exemption for contracts entered into prior to 15 December 2006.

FMA supports in principle the recommendation on the proviso that the amended Code includes all FMA supported recommendations and is commercial and workable and not anti-competitive.

RECOMMENDATION 3.

That an obligation on all parties to act in good faith be included in the Horticulture Code.

FMA supports the recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION 4.

That the Horticulture Code be amended to allow a method or formula for determining prices paid to a grower, including pooling and price averaging where: a. parties have prior knowledge and agree to the method or formula in the HPA b. if pooled, the pooled produce is of the same quality.

FMA supports the recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION 8.

That the Horticulture Code be amended to regulate transactions between growers and retailers where the retailer is not a signatory to the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes—Food and Grocery) Regulation 2015 (Food and Grocery Code).

FMA supports the recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION 9.

That the Horticulture Code be amended to abolish the existing dispute resolution process and that it be replaced with an improved system which recognises the need for independent, fast, accessible, expert on site conciliation.

FMA supports in principle the recommendation.

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RECOMMENDATION 10.

That the Horticulture Code be amended to provide that horticulture produce assessors be registered with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, be appropriately qualified, trained, accredited (as determined by the ACCC or the Ombudsman) and capable of acting as non-determinative conciliators between the parties and recording the outcome of any resolution between the parties.

FMA supports in principle the recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION 11.

That the Horticulture Code be amended to provide for civil penalties and infringement notices for breaches of the Code.

FMA strongly opposes the recommendation.

The focus must be on fairness. It is viewed as anticompetitive for one part of the supply chain to operate under the threat of civil penalties while other channels do not. No such requirements exist under the Voluntary Food and Grocery Code which applies to the retail chains.

RECOMMENDATION 12.

That the Horticulture Code require that traders generate and keep relevant information on transactions in order to allow the ACCC to use its powers under section 51ADD of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (its random audit powers) to assess a trader’s compliance with the code.

FMA opposes the recommendation. FMA opposes increased random audits of Traders when no such requirement applies to other competing supply chains, or under the Voluntary Food and Grocery Code.

RECOMMENDATION 13.

That as part of its role in enforcing the Horticulture Code, the ACCC should engage with growers’ and traders’ industry bodies in the development and distribution of any educational information relating to amendments to the code. Such information should be: a) in plain English (and other languages as appropriate); b) released in industry newsletters; c) released via an agreed timetable.

FMA supports in principle the recommendation.

REAL-TIME PRICE REPORTING WOULD BE A COST IMPOST Fruit and vegetable producers have been warned to dismiss Growcom’s snake oil claims that real-time price reporting is a cure for the industry’s ills.

Fresh Markets Australia’s (FMA) Executive Director Andrew Young said he was disappointed that Growcom continued to deliberately mislead that real-time price reporting was a recommendation of the Independent Review of the Horticulture Code of Conduct to the Government.

“Real-time price reporting is clearly not — and never had has been — one of the Independent Review Panel’s 13 recommendations to the Government and it is improper for Growcom to try and claim otherwise,” Mr Young said.

“Real-time price reporting is a Growcom thought bubble, an impractical and expensive folly that is being doggedly pursued by them with no justification given as to how it would benefit growers and who would pay for it.”

WHAT THE REVIEW PANEL REALLY SAID Independent Review of the Horticulture Code of Conduct has discussed real-time price reporting as part of its Price Reporting findings (found at: tinyurl.com/hh6fnhk).

Panel Review members Alan Wein and Mark Napper wrote in their November 2015 review (page 23): We therefore recommend that a feasibility study be undertaken into the establishment of a horticulture price reporting system.

The study should investigate the opportunity for the new system to operate on a self-funded commercial basis delivering value to the customer.

Whilst it is important that the new service is run on a commercial self-funded basis there is an opportunity for the Australian Government to make available funds to undertake the study or for funds be made available through Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited where co-investors participate in the study.

It was simply a recommendation that the industry assess the feasibility of a horticulture price reporting system.

A commercial price reporting system already exists in each Central Market.

The recommendation is not one of the 13 recommendations to the Federal Government.

Horticulture Innovation Australia has since called for tenders to conduct a feasibility study into real time pricing.

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Conferences INDUSTRY CONVENTION A NATIONAL DRAWCARD Brisbane Markets® wholesalers and both Brisbane Markets Limited and Brismark teams joined 1500 people on the Gold Coast for the staging of the 2016 National Horticulture Convention in late June.

The event was a collaboration between AUSVEG, Central Markets Association of Australia in partnership with Fresh Markets Australia, Apple and Pear Australia Ltd, Growcom, Persimmons Australia, Australian Organic and Onions Australia.

The Convention included an array of speaker sessions featuring presentations by domestic and international experts, as well as an exciting social calendar, including a Masquerade Theme Night, Women in Horticulture High Tea and the NextGen Free Fall event.

Industry members were honoured at the 2016 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, also held at RACV Royal Pines venue.

Brisbane Markets® Luke Leeson (left) joins other fresh produce markets representatives George Giameos (South Australia) and Paul Hodgson (Melbourne) on the busy trade show stand.

TRADESHOW SHOWCASES FRESH PRODUCE MARKETS Hundreds of people poured through the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, many stopping to take in the information or meet and greet wholesaler representatives on the trade stand.

Brisbane Markets Limited and Brismark joined their national counterparts Central Markets Association of Australia and Fresh Markets Australia under the “fresh produce markets” banner.

The site became a busy centre to hand out promotional information flyers, promotional items and to speak with industry members.

CENTRAL MARKETS HEADS MEET Central Markets Association of Australia (CMAA) chairmen and CEO’s used the National Horticulture Convention as a venue to fly in from the five central markets around Australia to hold annual talks.

CMAA is the peak body for fresh produce markets in Brisbane, Perth, 14

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Melbourne, South Australia and Sydney, which collectively trade over 4 million tonnes of produce valued at $7.28 billion each year.

The organisation joined with wholesaler representative organisation Fresh Markets Australia to host the conference pre-dinner drinks before the staging of the 2016 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner.

CMAA delegates catch up: From left, Paul Omodei, Perth Markets Limited Chairman with Vanessa Kennedy, Brisbane Markets Limited Communications Executive and Melbourne Markets Chairman Steve McArthur.

QUEENSLANDERS ON THE WINNING LIST A number of Queenslanders walked away with awards at the 2016 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner during the 2016 National Horticulture Convention.

These included: 1

AUSVEG Queensland vegetable grower and director of Brisbane Markets® wholesaler Franklin Bros, Rob Hinrichsen, was named AUSVEG Grower of the Year Award.

Queensland-based vegetable producer Kalfresh, based at Kalbar, won the AUSVEG Innovative Marketing Award.

Queensland vegetable grower Sharron Windolf received the Women in Horticulture joint industry award. Mrs Windolf is the co-owner of Windolf Farms based in Gatton.

2

Young Queenslander Jacob Parrish, an Operations Manager at Farm Gate Packing, has been recognised as a future industry leader by taking out the AUSVEG Rising Star of the Year Award.

APPLE AND PEAR LIMITED (APAL) Ugo Tomasel, an apple grower in Pozieres, Stanthorpe, was honoured with the APAL Lifetime Achievement Award Montague Fresh was presented with the APAL Marketer of the Year award for its JazzTM apples in Australia. The apples can be found on the Montague Fresh (Qld)’s section at Brisbane Produce Market.

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1 Gibb Bros director and Kalbar vegetable grower Tony Gibb (right) speaks to Rijk Zwaan representative Paul Connolly during the tradeshow.

2 Acting AUSVEG CEO Simon Bolle welcomes delegates to the tradeshow. The National Horticulture Convention injected over $2 million will be injected into the local economy.

3 Delegates enjoy a vegetable-centred meal during the convention. The National Horticulture Convention injected over $2 million into the local economy.

4 Setting up the Australia’s Fresh Produce Markets display.

The CMAA and FMA joined together to produce a colourful home base in the busy convention tradeshow.

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2016 FRESH CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE

UNPRECEDENTED LINE-UP OF SPEAKERS

Some of the horticulture industry’s leading minds and influences converged on Brisbane for the staging of the Produce Markets Association (PMA) Australia-New Zealand Fresh Connections conference in May.

An unprecedented line-up of industry speakers took to the stage at Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Connections 2016, including Brisbane Markets® CEO Andrew Young.

Brisbane Markets® was heavily involved in the event as sponsors through Central Markets Association of Australia and Fresh Markets Australia as well as involvement as delegates, a trade show display and contributing to a speaking session.

More than 1100 delegates attended the event, which included a busy trade show with more than 70 exhibitors in the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre grand hall.

The theme “Growing a Brighter Future” was interwoven into one day of speeches that touched on topics in the farming, retail and food service sectors, along with new technologies and structuring business for the future.

Brisbane Markets Limited and Brismark joined their national bodies, Central Markets Association of Australia and Fresh Markets Australia to produce an eye-catching trade display that was supported by large bins of fresh produce from the Brisbane Markets® wholesalers.

MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION Brisbane Markets Limited took part in the Career Pathways Program for the first time and was assigned Sydney University student Clarice Chen, a 19-year-old studying Food and Agribusiness who hoped to enter the sector after her studies.

Ms Chen accompanied Brisbane Markets® attendees throughout the conference program and was introduced to a wide selection of people relevant to her studies.

She was one of 10 students to undergo the program organised by Produce Market Association Australia New-Zealand.

Career Pathways Program student Clarice Chen learned more about the supply chain after being mentored by the Brisbane Markets Limited team.

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The eye catching fresh produce markets display in the centre of the Fresh Connections trade show hall.

Brisbane Markets® CEO Andrew Young speaks during a session at the PMA Fresh Connections conference. His speech emphasised the pivotal role Australia’s fresh produce markets play in the horticulture supply chain.

TRADING FLOOR TOUR Delegates to the Fresh Connections conference took time out to visit the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor as part of a retail tour that also took them to meet Brisbane’s local fruit shop owners.

The bus load of visitors walked the trading floor during trading time and were driven around the 77ha site learning about the development, influence and challenges of being Queensland’s largest fresh food hub.

The visitors left with their hands full of promotional items and information.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA 1

Fresh Connections delegates donned high vis vests to tour Brisbane Produce Markets.

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1 The Carter & Spencer Group team staff a display during the Fresh Connections tradeshow.

The organisation celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

3

2 Montague Fresh (Qld) Principal Hamish Montague stands beside one his company’s apple cider promotions. The Fresh Markets Australia deputy chairman has celebrated 10 years of promoting the jazztm apple.

3 Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Industry Development Manager Anna McCowan checks out the fruit displays at the Fresh Connections tradeshow.

4 Brismark’s Amanda Green was on duty to speak to growers about FreshTest during the Fresh Connections tradeshow. FreshTest provides low cost MRL (chemical residue) and microbial testing for primary Wholesalers and their growers in Australia’s Central Markets.

5 Wholesalers Deb and John Trimboli, of Romeo’s Marketing (Qld), beside their exotic fruit display at the Fresh Connections tradeshow.

ADELAIDE IN 2017 The 2017 Fresh Connections conference will be heading to Adelaide in 2017.

The Produce Marketing Association Australia-New Zealand (PMA-ANZ) run event will be held from 16-18 May in the South Australian capital. fresh source

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retailing WHAT’S THE BUZZ ON BUYFRUIT? There’s been a lot of buzz around the Brisbane Produce Markets about Brismark’s new e-commerce platform.

BuyFruit.com.au is an online website where customers can buy fruit and vegetables for delivery to their home or business, direct from their local fruit shop.

Brismark acquired major ownership of the platform to help its greengrocers in its Your Local Fruit Shop program to compete in the rapidly growing online fresh food market.

Check out the site at www.buyfruit.com.au

TRANSPORTING A GREAT MARKETING IDEA While traditional marketing channels such as radio and television remain an effective, albeit costly way to get a brand out in from of consumers, Brisbane Markets’® Your Local Fruit Shop (YLFS) program thought outside the traditional square to get the brand out in front of large audiences, and cheaply.

That’s where transport advertising comes in to play.

Over 12 weeks, 210 advertisements were placed on back of seats across 14 carriages on Brisbane’s CityRail network.

During this time 1,186,992 read the advertisement and were exposed to the YLFS brand – all potential customers for their local fruit shop.

Running alongside the ads was the campaign’s Wi-Fi promotion.

When passengers signed onto the trains free Wi-Fi service, they were shown the Locally Owned advertisement, then redirected to the YLFS website.

During four weeks, 203,354 people saw the advertisement and visited the website.

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IT’S THE DIGITAL AGE – TIME TO EMBRACE IT! Digital advertising and social media marketing is fast becoming a center point in Brisbane Produce Markets’ Your Local Fruit Shop’s (YLFS) marketing strategy.

This medium allows the brand to get in front of a targeted audience, for a longer period of time than traditional channels.

The success of YLFS’s social media accounts has inspired its YLFS retail program members to get online and give it a go.

Johnny and Michael Tabet, from Charlie’s Fruit Market, featured on a YouTube video highlighting their redirected business focus in recent years to expand into digital (social media, online ordering etc.).

The store has more than 100,000 social followers on Facebook and Instagram.

Paradise Point Fruit Mart is also a social media user and it’s not just generic updates. The store has embraced the personal delivery of video content and created some great posts featuring themselves presenting market updates from the truck, how to accessorise with strawberries, and even a watermelon weight guessing comp.

The shop’s team is not shy and they have gathered quite a following with this method of promotion with thousands of people viewing their videos.

Buy local and WIN! Pick specially marked locally grown produce For a chance to WIn

$5,000

Runner up prize: a $100 YLFS voucher for a customer of each store

Enter now at Your Local Fruit Shop To find your nearest store visit yourlocalfruitshop.com.au For full terms and conditions visit: www.yourlocalfruitshop.com.au

industry BREE IN BUNDABERG HORT’S TOP JOB

By Bree Grima, Managing Director, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers

In early April 2016, I was honoured to be granted the position of Managing Director (MD) for Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG). I take over the reins from Peter Hockings who held the role of Executive Officer since 2011.

Prior to my appointment to the MD role, I have been an Extension Officer with BFVG for the past five years.

UNDERSTANDING THE INDUSTRY During this time I have managed or been involved in numerous projects including Pest Management Programs, Control Traffic Farming, Variable Rate Technology, Carbon Farming and Protected Cropping Trials.

I am well known to our BFVG members through various workshops, field days and extension work however I am keen to meet as many Industry Members and Growers as possible.

I come from an agricultural background where the family previously farmed small crops and sugar cane.

My husband and I, together with his parents, are now moving forward with plans to enter the ever expanding macadamia Industry.

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The Wide Bay Burnett truly is the food bowl of the State and to represent the fruit, vegetable, herb and nut industries in this area is a big task.

We have large, medium and small commercial growers who supply the local, interstate and International markets.

The majority of growers are expanding to incorporate numerous commodities and many are heading down the value-add path.

I look forward to focusing on the entire Industry at a regional level and building on relationships to explore the opportunities available whilst fighting the challenges that have been laid before us.

REGIONAL UPDATE While there has been rain in recent weeks, March and April were relatively dry months for the Bundaberg region recording 37.6mm and 11.6mm respectively.

Low water warnings have been triggered by a number of bores in the region resulting in reduced allocations for growers in those affected areas.

These allocations will be reinstated in this current financial year however this may impact on crops currently in the ground for these producers.

The Gympie region has also been particularly dry with many commercial growers expressing their concern over the viability of current crops.

ADVOCACY On the fore front of everyone’s mind is the recent announcement in the Federal Treasurers Budget that the so-called Backpacker Tax is here to stay.

This can have a devastating effect on the Industry and we are already facing a limited local labour supply.

The result of this is that producers are reconsidering planting their next crop due to the uncertainty of labour supply from Working Holiday Makers in their peak production times.

While it is optimistic to hear the Federal Treasurer announce this is a ‘live issue’, growers need certainty now.

Now is the time for Industry to speak with one strong voice. The Queensland Horticulture Council, of which BFVG is a member, is doing just that.

Liaising directly with those involved, the Council and the National Farmers Federation will continue to push the cross-sectoral proposal to provide direction that is representative of the needs of Queensland horticultural growers.

PREPARING FOR A BUSY HARVEST

By Anna McCowan, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA)

It began as a slow start to the wet season, and we were beginning to worry if the rain had lost its way to the Bowen and Gumlu region. It has since become one of the wettest starts to winter in years.

networking event where growers and industry mingled while dining on our fine local produce that supports our region.

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

We are on the cusp of a busy harvest season.

It has come to that time of year again where we ask key industry stakeholders to consider participating in the BGGA’s Partnership Program.

It is an exciting time to drive around and talk to the optimistic growers and see the farms with a fully hydrated soil profile that has prepared them for the season.

Our Partnership Program supports the horticulture industry on a regional, state and national scale with many advantages to stakeholders.

GALA DINNER IN JULY

If your business is interested in advertising opportunities and key interaction points with growers, BGGA encourages a stakeholder partnership to help guide the industry and development.

Our annual Gala Dinner, a key industry event, is held in the middle of the growing season.

The BGGA Gala Dinner was held on 15 July and was a key industry

All partnership levels include highly sought after tickets to our famed Gala Dinner.

If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact the BGGA office on 07 4785 2860 to organise an information kit to be sent to you.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can read a full run down on the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Gala Dinner in the Spring Fresh Source, due out in September.

STATE POLITICIANS SAMPLE BUNDABERG Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (BFVG) has showcased its regional fruit and vegetables to Queensland’s politicians with a Bundaberg Region Promotion Night at Parliament House in June.

This year’s event – the fourth annual promotion night – saw the our state’s leaders taste a selection of fruit and vegetables while learning more about the region along the way.

BFVG thanked wholesalers Perfection Fresh Australia for coordinating the transport from Bundaberg to Brisbane and O’Toole Produce for moving the produce from Brisbane Markets® to the Parliamentary coolroom.

Some 25 different commodities were on show, eight of which were served in varied forms in the hor d’oeuvres, providing a tasty demonstration of what our the Bundaberg Region offers.

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HORT MOVERS AND SHAKERS

• Australian Horticulture Export Association has created a CEO’s position with the appointment of former HorticultureWA Export Development Manager Dominic Jenkin. He took up the role in July.

The horticulture industry has seen some staff movements over the quarter with resignations, retirements and appoints to new positions:

• Queensland Farmers’ Federation welcomed the appointment of new CEO Travis Tobin, formerly from the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Michael Worthington, CEO of Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Australia-New Zealand, is retiring after five years in the role and having devoted 40 years of his life to the agricultural sector.

He is replaced by Darren Keating who will take up the role in mid-August.

AUSVEG’s Richard Mulcahy (pictured) announced his sudden retirement after seven years as CEO. His deputy Andrew White has also resigned his position. AUSVEG’s skills-based director Simon Bolles has been appointed interim CEO during the search for a replacement.

• Bryan Silbermann, long time PMA (USA) CEO has announced his retirement and will hand over to association president Cathy Burns.

Former Extension Officer, Bree Grima has been appointed Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Managing Director on the departure of Executive Officer Peter Hockings, who resigned his position after Easter.

See Bree’s column on page 20.

WHOLESALER MERGERS AND SALES There have been some changes in the wholesaling sector: • Brisbane Markets® wholesaling firm J. H. Leavy & Co. was to Global Fresh Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of New Zealand based Darling Group. The combined businesses will move forward under the name Global Fresh Australia Pty Ltd, trading as J. H. Leavy & Co. • Wholesalers LaManna Group (LMG) and Premier Fruits Group (PFG) have merged, calling it a natural extension of their 10 year joint venture relationship in Western Australia.

• Oakville Produce, a mainly Chinese-owned company, is being prepared for sale after being placed in the hands of receivers in May. Oakville Produce is the fruit and vegetable company formerly known as the Moraitis Group and founded more than 50-years ago.

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Foodbank Australia CEO John Webster (pictured) has retired after five years in the role. Foodbank has appointed Jason Hincks as CEO to lead Australia’s largest food relief agency.

DID YOU KNOW? The Queensland horticulture industry is most labour intensive of all agricultural industries, with labour representing as much as 50% of the overall operating costs.

The industry has significant links to tourism, providing employment for thousands of backpackers and ‘grey nomads’ every year.

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EMBRACING THE TECHNOLOGY AGE

By Brismark General Manager Gail Woods

There’s a lot of buzz lately about how companies should be embracing the technology age. It’s certain that having the right digital strategy can make or break an organisation.

They have credit information 24 hours a day, and the online system continues to increase its users with over 76% of buyers connected, up 6% from last year.

Technology is changing how industries wholesale, and we are certainly seeing this across the central market system in Australia.

BUYFRUIT ONLINE

Business technology is literally changing every aspect of the way businesses operate and never before in history has that change occurred so fast.

So what is Brismark doing to embrace change and further innovation?

I’m proud to say that this catalyst started back in the 1970’s, with a Brisbane Markets® delegation embarked on a World Market Study Tour and returned with a credit control scheme idea that was seen in the Toronto Terminal Market.

This system also provides a bulletin board for wholesalers and buyers to receive all Credit Service memoranda.

In the retail space, Brismark has recently acquired major ownership of BuyFruit.com.au to help Your Local Fruit Shop members compete in the rapidly growing online fresh food market.

BuyFruit.com.au delivers fresh produce and grocery items straight to the customer’s door, direct from the Your Local Fruit Shop program member.

The introduction of this technology will revolutionise how Your Local Fruit Shop owners grow their business.

Most defining was the introduction of a Credit Control Scheme on 1 July, 1973.

Local online shopping, as a whole, has exploded in popularity over the past five years and is predicted to see substantial growth with more than half of Australian consumers saying they will use an online order and delivery service.

Allowing Members a credit risk management function and a bad debt reserve has provided Members substantial security over the decades.

By investing in new technologies like this, Brismark is helping retail program members get established early in this growing market.

This service continues to be the envy of Markets, both around Australia and overseas.

We are excited to see the positive impact this will have on trade here at the Brisbane Markets®.

Brismark’s Credit Service has revolutionised the way wholesalers and buyers trade, removing the need for Brismark members to use cash.

LOCKYER VALLEY GROWERS HOST NATIONAL EXPO The Lockyer Valley is expected to draw more 10 international seed companies and hundreds of visitors during a two day National Horticulture and Innovation Expo being held 27–28 July at the Gatton Research Facility.

The event is hosted by Lockyer Valley Growers Inc and will showcase the latest seed, demonstrate machinery innovation and technology and provide cook ups of local fresh produce.

Growers and industry representatives will attend on Wednesday, 27 July while school groups, students, growers and the general public are welcome on Thursday, 28 July.

For more information, visit www.lockyervalleygrowers.com.au

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Lockyer Valley Growers Inc secretary Michael Sippel prepares for the big expo. The Lockyer Valley Growers was established in late 2013 as a means for fruit and vegetable growers in the area to unite and work together.

Are you prepared for the Winter...? ... and we don’t mean the cold.

Rodent Warning Signs: Droppings Chewed electrical wires Structural damage Scratching noises Paw and tail marks Nests and/or burrows

Rats and mice seek warmth and shelter from the cold during winter.

They often ruin insulation, damage building timbers, and cause fires by gnawing on electrical cords, causing major structural and electrical damage.

Don’t let rodents affect your produce Prevent & Protect against Rodents Keep food locked away in metal or glass containers (not plastic) Reduce clutter Place rubbish in secure metal bins Keep outside areas free from debris Install rodent bait stations

Prevent and Protect now by calling Flick Anticimex on

13 14 40

business IS SUPERANNUATION DEAD?

By Andrew Malins – Affinity Accounting Plus

Is superannuation dead? It seems that way, almost.

After the recent announcement of the Federal Budget in May, the tax benefits of superannuation are under threat from lobby groups who claim it only benefits the wealthy.

The seemingly constant changes to superannuation has tainted most people’s opinion of how it benefits them which is a real shame.

It is true that super is likely to continue to be the target of change by future governments, however it still remains an extremely effective investment vehicle for the vast majority of us.

Lack of certainty around the super rules has eroded the public’s confidence to such a point where most people I speak to just don’t like super and would prefer another type of investment.

For most of us, the ability to pay 15% tax while accumulating super and then having $1.6m dollars invested, which we pay no tax on the earnings, is still a highly attractive option.

For a couple, that’s up to $3.2m which you can invest tax free.

Even a modest return on that amount will give most couples enough income for a comfortable retirement free from tax.

The problem is that they have made it harder for us to accumulate the $1.6m balance in the first place.

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With deductible contributions being reduced to $20,000pa and a cap of $500,000 on non-tax deductible contributions, the message is clear: start contributing early if you want to get up to the $1.6m.

Roll over of a small business capital gain is another common method of getting money into the tax advantaged super system.

So why wouldn’t you invest in super when it’s still the most tax advantaged means of investing for your retirement?

I think the two main issues that prevent people from building their investment in super are: • lack of income left over for investment (perceived or real) • perceived lack of control of (or interest in) such a long term investment The second of those two reasons explains why self-managed funds have grown to over 566,000 as of December 2015 and continue to grow in market share.

Negative gearing through selfmanaged super funds has been around for a few years now and has allowed people to use their super to invest in what is most Australian’s favourite investment, residential property.

Beware however, since indicators suggest that house prices are at historic high levels and while most economists don’t predict a bubble, future capital growth may be restricted.

Whatever your circumstances, if you aren’t paying attention to your superannuation, you are doing yourself a terrible disservice.

Even a small amount in super will make a difference to your retirement funds.

Regardless of whether you are happy with the recent election result, superannuation is still the best tax advantage most people can access.

FOOD SAFETY BOOST The horticulture industry’s food safety research has received a boost with $2.2m Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre grant to build a food safety research centre at Sydney University.

The University of Sydney’s agriculture and environment faculty, who will work with more than 20 industry partners to form a new ‘Food Safety in the Fresh Produce Industry’ centre.

The research will be a collaboration with the Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia and New Zealand and industry groups.

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EMPLOYEE INDUCTION –DID YOU DO YOU NEED GETTING IT RIGHT! KNOW? A COACH?

By Sal Trujillo, Brisbane Markets Limited Human Resources Manager Australia’s horticulture industry is

By Andrew Malins – Affinity Accounting Plus good induction Mostyourself companies invest Ask if you needa alot coach.A Perhaps do if process you should consist of the following of time, effort and money want to improve your business/life. (as a minimum): in recruiting and selecting Very few athletes, high performing individuals or teams • General Company information the best candidates, yet achieve their peak without guidance from a good coach. including history, mission, values they tend to throw the new Most of us, however, get our “coaching”,and if any, in the form of organisational structure. employee in the “deepwith end” ad hoc informal discussions someone who isn’tofaware of Resources • Summary Human expecting them the full situation or to isn’tperform really qualified to help us. related policies including Code from day one. of Conduct, Safety, Employment Success is often years or decades in the making.

It requires

policy, discipline and persistence along with a plan andworkplace direction. bullying, sexual Designing and implementing a harassment and discrimination.

The media the young and successful making it robust and highlights effective induction • Relevant related practices big in new technologies or a dramatic rise but the safety majority process which provides the new including manual handling, of successful business owners get there through hard work, employee with meaningful office ergonomics, housekeeping, discipline andabout goodthe decision making. information company, incident reporting and general the probably department and their new job We all have the ability to do whatever we want to, responsibilities. will for provide a good starting point holdsemployee but whatever reason, something us back. towards gaining the employee’s • General employment information A coach or advisor can be the one you pasttothe issuesuniform, commitment and establishing a to helprelating payroll, which would otherwise hold you back. carpark facilities, hours of work, productive working relationship. absenteeism Life many distractions, ouran own knowledge and and leave requests.

The has induction process creates experiences will always colour our judgement.

A good coach • Site orientation to show the excellent opportunity for managers or advisor can help us with a different perspective that weof emergency physical location to establish clear expectations may not be able see ourselves. exits, assembly points, toilets and on behaviour andtoperformance other facilities available to the at anone earlier Step is tostage find allowing the right person but the most important new employee. new employees to have a good step is being ready to change your thinking. understanding on what is expected • Introduction to co-workers.

If you can’t change your thinking, you will probably never of them.

The employer is liable for the change what you do or the results.

In addition, effectively inducting conduct of their employees Few of us want discipline whether it’s in our personal or employees will equip them with in relation to working safely, professional life even though we know changing habits can knowledge to adapt to the new bullying, sexual harassment and bring benefits. Finding the right advisor or coach can make all working environment, become discriminatory behaviour. the difference. more independent, and establish A suitable induction process will Andrew has been a chartered accountant for more working Malins relationships with mitigate the employer liability if the than 20 years advising medium enterprises on colleagues resulting in small higherand levels company can demonstrate that the business and taxation strategies and is a long-time Fresh of motivation. new employee was made familiar Source columnist.

being reminded that there is still time to assist its counterparts in with policies Fiji workplace who were hit by the and procedures. devastating Tropical Cyclone Accordingly, consideration Winston in February. should also be given to the introduction of Donations are being accepted a training plan containing details the Cross and cantobe ofby the jobRed related information made my phoning 811 700 be provided to the new1800 employee, donating onrelevant line at asor well as keeping http://www.redcross.org.au/ records which demonstrates the cyclonewinstonappeal.aspx. information provided.

This can be achieved by having copy of completed assessments, checklists and attendance registers.

NEVER MISS OUT WITH THIS SAVE NEW PORTAL DATE: Never THE miss out on what’s

happening with Brisbane Markets Limited’s updated Save the dates in your calendar for news portal, ofevents its later in the some big part industry year including: www.brisbanemarkets.com.au 6 OCTOBER: Brisbane Markets website.

Limited’s annual Mango Auction,

The news site has undergone Brisbane Produce Market trading floor.and is a portal for a makeover information and media releases 8 OCTOBER: Bundaberg Fruit and affecting the people, freshbiennial produce Vegetable Growers’ gala Night Under the Stars, and thedinner, industry surrounding the BrisbaneBundaberg.

Markets.

Find a direct link at news.brisbanemarkets.com.au.

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SUEZ and Brisbane Markets are putting your waste to good use We provide smart and reliable solutions to collect recover and recycle paper and cardboard into valuable resources

For information on best practise waste management solutions, contact SUEZ today

export EXPORT ONE-STOPSHOP PORTAL LAUNCHED Brisbane Markets® played host to the national launch of Australia Horticulture Export Association’s (AHEA) new web portal, www.ahea.com.au, a one-stop-shop for horticultural markets.

The portal’s June unveiling had been months in the making to ensure its searchable database resources were tailored to the needs of the horticultural importers, exporters and the wider industry.

Talking export: AHEA portal launch attendees (from left) Anthony Joseph, Alfred E Chave, Austrade’s Darren Wilson and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Kaye Nunan.

Austrade’s General Manager - Marketing, Online and Business Practice Nick Nichles told attendees the portal was an integral part of the Australian Horticulture Export Portal project, which seeks to develop online knowledge-sharing resources between exporters and Asian counterparts, and to build strategic partnerships in South Korea, China and Japan.

AHEA Executive Director Michelle Christoe said the portal’s aim was to provide the horticulture industry direct access to information to assist them to trade.

Ms Christoe pointed out its features, including multiple language translations, a live feed including the exchange rate, Free Trade Agreements, food safety information, product information on fruits and vegetables, latest news and manuals, biosecurity import conditions and key contacts, including a list of importers/ exporters, Central Markets and key grower associations.

WHO IS AHEA? Australian Horticultural Exporters’ Association (AHEA) is a national association formed to promote the development of the export and import of fresh horticultural resources.

AHEA’s board and members are representative stakeholders across the horticulture industry.

Its national office is based at the Brisbane Markets®.

For more information, visit www.ahea.com.au or phone 07 3379 4983.

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Austrade’s General Manager - Marketing, Online and Business Practice Nick Nichles and AHEA’s Executive Director Michelle Christoe at the portal launch. The website has been funded by Austrade as part of the Asian Business Engagement grant program and has been supported by Trade and Investment Queensland and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland

NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR EXPORT AWARDS Calling all horticulture exporters who want to measure their talent and spirit against their peers and exporters on the world scene: it’s time to show how great you are.

Trade and Investment Queensland and Export Council of Australia are looking for entries in the 2016 Premier of Queensland’s Export Award.

There are 12 industry categories to compete in, regardless of the size or location of the entrant’s business.

Applications close on Monday, 1 August 2016 for an October awards ceremony. For more information, visit www.tiq.qld.gov.au/awards

calendar 2016 National Horticultural and Innovation Expo DAF Research Station, Gatton, Queensland Contact: Phone Leonie Brassey on (0456) 956 340 or email projectmanager@lockyervalleygrowers.com.au Showcasing the latest in research, innovation and technology, along with onsite cooking demonstrations, hands-on learning experiences and a range of food and drink outlets.

27 JULY Lockyer Valley Growers Industry Dinner

5-14 AUGUST

AUGUST

JULY

27-28 JULY

2015 Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills, Qld Contact: Information and tickets at www.ekka.com.au More than 400,000 people will see the best of Queensland on show with more than 10,000 animals, 23,000 competition entries, a smorgasbord of award-winning food and wine and hours of free family entertainment. Ekka’s gates open at 9am daily and close at 8pm.

10 AUGUST

Gatton Shire Hall, North Street, Gatton, Queensland

Ekka Royal Queensland Show holiday

Contact: Phone Sharron on 0407 623 119 or email admin@lockervalleygrowers.com.au

For further information on Brisbane Markets® fresh produce deliveries and purchases, please contact your wholesaler or check trading hours on line at www.brisbanemarkets.com.au.

A celebration for industry and supporters of the Lockyer Valley Growers.

29 JULY Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland Contact: Wendy Utz on 07 3915 4200 or email wutz@brisbanemarkets.com.au

Brisbane Markets Limited’s Forklift Operator of the Year Brisbane Markets®, Sherwood Road, Rocklea, Qld Contact: Wendy Utz on 07 3915 4200 or email wutz@brisbanemarkets.com.au An annual event where forklift operators compete for prizes while raising awareness of the importance of safety in the workplace.

7-9 SEPTEMBER

SEPT

Annual celebration for the Brisbane Markets® community who are wined, dined and entertained, this year focusing on Brismark’s 75th anniversary.

31 AUGUST

Asia Fruit Logistica and AsiaFruit Congress AsiaWorld-Expo, HK International Airport, Hong Kong Contact: Claudia Bach on +49 30 3038 2372, email claudia@gp-events.com or visit www.asiafruitlogistica.com

DID YOU KNOW? The Spring edition of Fresh Source magazine will be a bumper publication to mark Brismark’s 75 year anniversary.

It is Asia’s leading trade show for the international fresh fruit and vegetable business with 9,200 top decision-makers from 70 countries. Some 574 companies from 40 different countries showcase their fresh produce products.

21-23 SEPTEMBER GrowAg Summit, Albury, NSW Contact: Jennifer Medway on (02) 6271 4132 or email jennifer.medway@rirdc.gov.au The free event is presented by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and Australia’s Rural Research and Development Corporations, to bring together Australia’s innovative agriculture leaders.

Sign up or recommend it to a friend on-line at tinyurl.com/zueeze7.

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*

Purchase any selected new Toyota 2.5 tonne counter-balance forklift and get a free $500 Caltex Starcash card.* $500

1800 425 438

Offer ends 31 July 2016

www.toyotamaterialhandling.com.au

S O L U T I O N S

F O R

E V E R Y

P A L L E TÂŽ

*Free $500 Caltex Starcash card awarded on the purchase of an eligible new Toyota brand forklift model between 1 June 2016 and 31 July 2016. Eligible models are: Toyota 32-8FG/FD25; Toyota 32-8FG/FDK25 engine powered counterbalance forklifts; Toyota 8FBN25 battery-electric counterbalance forklifts. Offer only available at participating Toyota Material Handling branches and subject to change without notice and whilst stocks last. Available to private buyers only. Please allow 4 - 8 weeks for delivery of your Caltex Starcash Card. Caltex Starcash cards are issued and administered by Caltex Australia Petroleum Pty Limited and use is subject to their terms and conditions. Orders cannot be cancelled except with TMHA’s written consent and on terms which indemnify TMHA against losses, damages and expenses suffered or incurred by TMHA as a result of that cancellation. Images used for illustration purposes only.