ACAPMA News
GM Tracker
07/07/10 - New PM, New Fin Year - Same Focus
07/06/10 - Subs, Conference and Mandates
13/05/10 - April was busy - May is all about getting the message out there
25/03/10 - More Ethanol meetings and working on the Conference
08/03/10 - Back in the office after round 2 of GM Tour
01/03/10 - GM Tour hits TAS and the PPSECC Meeting
09/02/10 - Meeting with QLD Treasurer Re: Ethanol Mandate
05/02/10 - ABC Radio Interview feedback and link to transcript
03/02/10 - ABC Radio Interview AM1233 07:15 4/2/10
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A new financial year and a new set of possibilities. Since we last caught up with Nic Australia has undergone a change in management with Juillia Gillard taking the helm, Modern Awards have come into effect, Tobacco has gone dark, Membership Subs have gone out and still, keeping the doors open and servicing customers and communities remains the main focus of ACAPMA Members.
June is always a hectic time and Nic spent a lot of June in the office finalising projects and the ACAPMA Conference program, though he did have some time to hop around the country speaking to regulators and experts on some areas of concern for ACAPMA Members including; sitting in on a teleconference with the ACCC on the competition and consumer concerns around biofuel mandating, heading to Brisbane to meet up with the Leader of the Opposition Jean Paul Langbroek and meeting with the Small Business Coalition. Nic also represented ACAPMA by presenting at the Australian Taxi Industry Associations Conference in early June.
In July Nic is meeting with more government representatives on industry issues in Sydney and Canberra. Nic will also be focused on writing in July with the next issue of ACAPMAg, and his regular contributions to industry magazines, coming out again soon. The ACAPMA Board will meet in late July and Nic has asked Members to submit any issues that they would like added to the Agenda.
July will wrap up with a trip to Canberra to finalise all arrangements for the ACAPMA Conference in September. We have had an overwhelming response to the Program this year and would love to see every Member represented. I am looking forward to catching up with everyone there, but for now I am signing off with a note to all that the ACAPMA Conference is open to all interested in the industry and a reminder that ACAPMA is a National Association and we have a National General Manager, he is never in the same spot long but you can always get hold of him on 1300 160 270.
Bye for now.
Elisha Radwanowski, ACAPMAssist Coordinator & Official GM Tracker
Click here to visit the GM Tracker page where you can keep up with Nic’s movements and talking points
ACAPMA is your association and Nic is your General Manager, click here to let us know what you think
For more information on ACAPMA Membership please click here
Nic has been hard at it in May and this month has been all about the future.
In the last weeks of May, Nic was in Canberra and took meetings with the Australian Institute Petroleum and the Australian Trucking Association where he was highlighting the unique pressures ACAPMA members face in their operations, as well as the opportunities of each Association to form links with ACAPMA. It was then back to Sydney where he met with MiniTankers (member), National BioDiesel (trade member) and OAMPS on some best practice initiatives that will be coming soon. Still in Sydney Nic then presented at The Distributors Conference (trade member).
May also included a day in Brisbane again meeting with the Queensland Shadow Treasurer regarding Ethanol Mandates and the issues of supply, implementation, technology progression and consumer choice. Nic will be continuing the discussion in June when he returns to Brisbane to meet with the Queensland Treasurer and the leader of the Queensland Opposition. Also in May, Nic has been in meetings with trade members and industry suppliers as well as the National Logistics Council on future engagement with ACAPMA members.
June is going to be a busy one again. It has started off with a video conference with the ACCC to discuss ACAPMA’s competition and consumer concerns with biofuel mandates. Nic will then be presenting at the Australian Taxi Association Conference in Darwin before heading to Melbourne to meet with ACAPMA President Jeff Griffiths and trade members. Member subs will be coming out and Nic will spend the month finalising projects, locking down the program for the ACAPMA Conference and meeting with potential trade partners on their contribution to ACAPMA members.
That’s me signing off with a note to all that the ACAPMA Conference is open to all interested in the industry and savings of $600.00 per ticket are available for those who register before 30 June 2010 and a reminder that ACAPMA is a National Association and we have a National General Manager, he is never in the same spot long but you can always get hold of him on 1300 160 270.
Bye for now. Elisha Radwanowski, ACAPMAssist Coordinator & Official GM Tracker
For more information on the Workplace Relations Training please click here
For more information on ACAPMA Membership please click here
April was a busy one for Nic.
It started in Queensland where Nic was invited to spend a day attending the Australian Trucking Associations conference. Then to Melbourne for meetings with ACAPMA President Jeff Griffiths before heading straight to South Australia to meet with members and present at the PICA Conference. He also sat in on the ACAPMAlliance Workplace Relations Training held in Adelaide .
From there Nic headed to Western Australia where he met with more members and another ACAPMAlliance Workplace Relations Training day. Nic was back in Sydney for the NSW session of the ACAPMAlliance Training, before heading to Melbourne to meet with members, politicians and to sit on the ACCC Fuel Consultative Committee. FuelCC as it will be known was a valuable exchange of industry views where Nic represented ACAPMA members in petroleum distribution and petrol convenience.
While Nic has talked again of the benefit of spending time with members at their businesses and hearing their stories of success, frustration and the more closely held stories of community involvement. He has asked that if any members have other general issues that they would like raised please let him know.
May is set to be another eventful month, already ACAPMA has had a Board Meeting and is putting out the next issue of ACAPMAg. Nic has enjoyed pouring over the recently released Henry Tax Review and Federal Budget, watching for impacts on ACAPMA member businesses…I just think he is weird J!
This week Nic has been in and out of meetings on specific offerings soon to be delivered to ACAPMA members and will wrap the week, as a guest of UNIGAS (trade member), at the Budget Reply lunch, hosted by Tony Abbott.
Nic is heading to Canberra for several meetings next week, before presenting at The Distributors (new trade member) Conference in Sydney.
The last week of May will see Nic in Queensland again for a series three meetings – State Treasurer, Opposition Leader and Shadow Treasurer - regarding Ethanol Mandates.
Well just writing what he is up to on ACAPMA members behalf makes me tired so I am signing off. Remember ACAPMA is a National Association and we have a National General Manager, he is never in the same spot long but you can always get hold of him on 1300 160 270, me I am always in the same spot J
Bye for now. Elisha Radwanowski, ACAPMAssist Coordinator & Official GM Tracker
For more information on the Workplace Relations Training please click here
For more information on ACAPMA Membership please click here
He’s Back!!!
For a few days at least. Getting straight back into work after a well deserved break over Easter, Nic is in the office at the moment, writing for C & I, New Sunrise’s What’s ON and putting together the next issue of ACAPMAg. During his very brief stay in Sydney (aka home!) Nic has also been catching up with some potential members. Today The Distributors have announced that they are coming on board with all of their members to join the ACAPMAssist Network, Welcome!
Nic is talking to many other trade, distributor and retail companies about joining ACAPMA and about the services they can offer ACAPMA Members.
So what does the rest of the month look like?
Nic is on his way to Queensland on Friday after accepting a formal invitation to attend the Australian Trucking Association Conference on behalf of ACAPMA, before heading to Melbourne to meet with Jeff Griffiths ACAPMA President, who has himself just returned home after an epic motorcycle ride around Australia. Tuesday Nic heads to Adelaide for the week where he will be visiting more members at their businesses and then kicking off the ACAPMAcademy FREE Workplace Relations Training with Marg and then attending and presenting at the PICA Conference.
From Adelaide Nic then flys to Perth to do a road trip down to Katanning and then across to Bunbury to visit more members before heading back to Perth for the WA ACAPMAcademy FREE Workplace Relations Training with Marg and further member visits before catching the red eye home on Friday morning.
After ANZAC Day Nic will be back in the Sydney office for the NSW ACAPMAcademy FREE Workplace Relations Training with Marg before heading to Melbourne to attend high level discussions with industry leaders. While in Melbourne Nic will also be meeting with the Shadow Minister for Small Business development and Competition.
Elisha signing off with the reminder that while Nic is out and about he remains available via phone and I am in the office ready to assist with any issues you might be having.
Since we last caught up with Nic’s travels, he has remained on the road, meeting with members, regulators and politicians, as well as current and potential trade members.
At the start of his visit to Tasmania, Nic met with some of the OAMPS Insurance Brokers team in Launceston. From there he caught up with members in Davenport and Hobart, whilst also calling past ACAPMA’s member in Cressy on the way through. In Hobart Nic attended a Committee meeting with the Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources in Hobart. Nic described this trip as a ‘great learning experience’, making the comment ‘there is always something that an ACAPMA member can educate me about.’
Nic’s discussions with potential trade members have been fruitful, with National BioDiesel Limited coming on board as a trade member. Both Nic and Peter Rodgers, Sales and Marketing Manager, believe that there is a wonderful opportunity for both groups to understand more about bringing BioDiesel blends to the market.
Current trade member New Sunrise had Nic in Queensland, giving an address at their Multi Site Operators’ Conference. Nic was pleased to be able to outline to attendees the areas ACAPMA has been working on.
The NSW State Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly MLC, invited Nic back to his office this week to discuss the NSW ethanol mandate. At this meeting, the Minister outlined the implementation program, including how a business could apply for exemptions. Nic believes there needs to be some work done in this area and the Minister agreed to have a draft document for comment by ACAPMA.
In the coming weeks Nic will be in Queensland again attending the Australian Trucking Covention and then in South Australia visiting members and presenting at the PICA Conference. This will be followed quickly with a trip to Western Australia. Marg Taylor will join Nic in South Australia and in Western Australia, delivering the FREE Workplace Relations training to members.
Click here to let us know what ACAPMA is doing right and what you want to see more of.
After some very busy weeks Nic is back in the office for a while. Nic has been in Queensland and Tasmania visiting members and speaking to Ministers and serving on government committees. This week Nic has hit the ground running again, meeting with leadership and business management trainers regarding an offering we hope to have out to you in the coming weeks.
The last month has included a very demanding travel schedule but has yielded some excellent results. At the meeting with the Queensland Treasurer, Nic highlighted the real difficulties and likely issues with the proposed start date to the ethanol mandate. At the Tasmanian Petroleum Products Supply and Emergency Coordination Committee meeting ACAPMA was represented in the high level supply discussions.
Nic has expressed his excitement at meeting up with some members at their businesses recently, and has described these meetings as “very valuable”. He has enjoyed the opportunity to spend time one-on-one with members, discussing their concerns, criticisms, praise and achievements. When Nic visits a member he always asks this question: “What are we [ACAPMA] doing right and what do you want to see us doing?”. The GM Tour will remain a fixture for this year. As Nic’s official travel takes him around the country he will get out and see more and more members and ask this question himself. In the mean time ACAPMA remains your association and would welcome hearing your answers.
Click here to let us know what ACAPMA is doing right and what you want to see more of.
Watch this space for a new web page…GM On Tour which will forecast Nic’s location over the next six months so you an track when the GM is coming to a town near you.
Nic is back in the office today before heading to Tasmania where he will be seeing members before attending the PPSECC Meeting on petroleum security and supply.
Nic is endeavouring to get out and meet as many of the members as he can as he travels around the country on ACAPMA business. Click here to contact Elisha and find out when Nic will be near you.
Nic had a packed week of activity on behalf of ACAPMA.
Nic headed up to Gladstone QLD before driving down to Bundaberg and finally Brisbane, all the way catching up with members. Nic wrapped up his Queensland trip with a meeting with the QLD Agriculture Minister on Ethanol Mandates.
Friday saw Nic in Canberra to give an invited submission to the Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy. Nic expresses his thanks to all members who provided information and experiences for him to relay to the committee concerning fuel shortages.
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Last week was another busy one for Nic. In the company of the Australian Lot Feeders Association Nic met with the QLD Treasurer to discuss the impact of the proposed Ethanol Mandate in QLD. This followed an earlier meeting with the Shadow Treasurer. The Treasurer’s Office has sent us a copy of the revised draft Bill for Stakeholder comment. We are reviewing this now and will pass on our recommendations to the Treasurer and Members by 22/02/10.
This week Nic is meeting with several training companies to assist in establishing a best practice offering around several areas including retail training.
Next week Nic will be in Brisbane again meeting with the Agriculture Minister on the Ethanol Mandate. Nic hopes to catch up with some local Members while he is there.
Late next week Nic will also be appearing at the latest Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy in Canberra. While this Committee has a wide scope we have been informed that the focus will be around continuity of supply and storage Nationally, using South Australia over Christmas specifically, as an example. We encourage Members to share their stories and frustrations on supply from their own State so we can build our case for presentation to the Committee.
To comment on or contribute to any of these discussions please clickhere.
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Nic is in Brisbane today meeting with the Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser MPover Ethanol Mandates. This meeting follows on from one last week with the Shadow Treasurer and will have very simmilar talking points. Nic will be back in Brisbane at the end of the month to meet with the Agriculture Minister and to catch up with some QLD members.
Nic will be in Melbourne for a few days this week furthering a project we hope to announce shorty that aims to make managing risks in this industry a little clearer...watch this space.
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The interview on ABC Raido AM1233 went well yesterday. A transcript is available by clicking the link below. The feeback ACAPMA received was that Nic's argument was clear and concise, reasoned and balanced.
The interview received national coverage click here to read the ABC article
Visit ACAPMA in the Media to view the transcript by clicking here.
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Nic will be interviewed on ABC Raido AM1233 out of Newcastle tomorrow morning 07:15.
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Last week Nic was back in the office after some well deserved time off.
Hitting the ground running Nic met with the Queensland Shadow Treasurer & Minister for Future Growth Mr. Tim Nicholls MP and Dougal Gordon from the Lot Feeders Association on the proposed Ethanol Mandate.
On behalf of ACAPMA Members Nic presented the argument that mandates serve to;
· Reduce competitive advantage as it is generally independents that are, as a group, that were the first to uptake alternative fuels
· Promote a larger gap in the marketplace between independents and large chains, due to the vast difference in costs required for compliance
· Tend to ignore the wider impact on the agricultural sector. Put simply we do not have the capacity, or indeed the inclination of the farming sector, to produce the level of Ethanol required in an economically viable way
Both Nic and Dougal thought it was a productive meeting and will meet with the Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser MP on 9th February 2010 and the Agriculture Minister on 25th February 2010 to discuss the Ethanol Mandate further. Click here to contribute to this discussion.
Nic was also in contact last week with a reporter from The Herald and is in discussions to illuminate the inaccuracies in several reports that the NRMA is contributing to, that ask the public to “dob in a petrol gouger”. Key among the complaints is the price of fuel around Public Holidays
On behalf of ACAPMA Members Nic has presented the argument that retailers are not petrol gougers because;
· Allegations of price gouging are very serious and are investigated by the ACCC amongst the 3000 complaints they receive every year and carry a penalty of over $500,000.00.
· The ACCC report into the petroleum industry released in December 2009 shows that;
o last year the average net profit on the sale of ULP was -2.3cpl or a net loss of $480,000,000.00
o over the last seven years the average net RETAIL profit on the sale of ULP was 0.4cpl. This means that in the average sale the retailer makes $0.14 while the Government tax is $17.40
o prices on and around Public Holidays have been consistent with the operation of the weekly price cycle and have not been indicative of determined hiking behavior
Nic is continuing to contact media outlets that insist on price bashing in an effort to bring some fact and reason to the debate. Click here to contribute to this discussion
This week Nic is hard at work encapsulating all the turbulence of the last two months into some great articles for ACAPMAg Issue 5 which will be released in the next two weeks.
Also a priority for this week is addressing some concerns raised by Members regarding the labeling requirements around Bio Diesel,
“Nic, were are starting to see in the market Bio diesel with a 10% blend, not branded as such and priced below normal diesel. This is conning the consumer into thinking they are getting normal diesel . [I] think ACAPMA need this raised with the authority that handles product branding. I see this as a problem in the retail and wholesale markets as the Bio Diesel product is not a proven to be equal to the Normal Diesel product.”
Keep an eye on the Latest News section to see how Nic goes with this one. Click here to let us know your thoughts and experiences in this area
That is it for the GM Tracker for today. ACAPMA is your association and Nic is your General Manager, let us know how you feel about what we are doing and how we are doing it. Click here to have your say
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ACAPMA 2010
