The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) supports the release today of five issues papers for the Productivity Commission review into the Fair Work Act. The AHA sees the review as an opportunity to create more employment opportunities by reviewing the current workplace relations framework. Stephen Ferguson, AHA National CEO, said the current inflexibility and award system structure is stifling employment and business growth. “The level of penalty rates is a particular concern.  The AHA agrees that additional remuneration should be provided for employees working overtime, weekends and public holidays.  However, a better balance is required to enable more businesses to open
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Stephen Ferguson, AHA National CEO, said today, “With State elections in both Queensland and NSW taking place in the next three months, the value of event-related tourism should become mainstream issues. Both States have seen downturns in mining and other industries; whereas events and tourism have continued to surge. It is impressive that the NSW Government has shown its support of the sector with the re-development of Sydney’s convention and exhibition centre. Queensland has also been active in the domestic and international tourism sector. But what is needed now is more flexible working conditions to boost productivity, a strong international
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Stephen Ferguson, National CEO of the Australian Hotels Association, said today that the push by the racing industry to diversify into other broadcast channels will adversely impact the capacity of the hotel industry to continue paying the current levels of broadcast rights fees. “We understand the desire of the racing industry to expand the coverage of racing and to use new digital platforms and free-to-air television to do so. A few years ago, with minor exceptions, the only way to watch racing in a pub was via Sky Channel and the only way to have a punt was with a
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Presentation: “Staying on course in uncertain times” Delivered to Hostplus 1 December 2014 – Melbourne Presented by Stephen Ferguson, National CEO of the Australian Hotels Association Transcript of the AHA CEO’s presentation to Hostplus on “Staying on course in uncertain times” – Click here.  
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Presentation: Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs National Stakeholder Meeting on Alcohol Related Violence and Harm 19 November 2014 – Hotel Realm – Canberra Presented by Stephen Ferguson, National CEO of the Australian Hotels Association   Transcript of the AHA CEO’s presentation at the National Stakeholder Meeting on Alcohol Related Violence and Harm – Click here.  
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POSITION STATEMENT 13 January, 2015 Hotels right to refuse or cancel a booking Hotel venues are sometimes faced with the issue of whether or not to take a booking, or cancel a booking, based on the person/organisation involved in the booking. This was the position faced recently by venues booked for anti-vaccination lectures and has also applied in the past to venues that cancelled forums by controversial figures such as Philip Nitschke and the Dutch right winger Gert Wilders. Hotel venues must place the safety of their guests and staff as their first priority. They must also take into account the
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