The elite of Australia’s hospitality and accommodation industry were honoured in a glittering nation-wide function held on the Gold Coast in Queensland in September 2015. Among the highlights was the induction of New South Wales hotel industry stalwart Bevan Douglas into the Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame. Mr Douglas and his family have made significant social and economic contributions to the city of Tamworth. Mr Douglas has also championed the rights of hoteliers over the past 25 years. Over 450 people, representing hotel and accommodation venues from right around the country were present at the annual awards night, held at
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Australian jobs and businesses can be boosted by cracking down on illegal offshore gambling
Media Release: Australian jobs and businesses can be boosted by cracking down on illegal offshore gambling. The Australian Hotel Association (AHA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s review of illegal offshore gambling, saying that the widespread practice was costing Australian jobs and hurting legitimate Australian businesses. The Government has estimated that there is up to $1 billion annual illegal offshore gambling, particularly targeting racing and other sports, and that, increasingly, Australian‐based organisations were attempting to avoid their legal obligations by shifting their operations offshore to unregulated international regions such as the Pacific and Asia. The review is to be led by
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Productivity Commission Report Response
Media Release: Productivity Commission’s recommendations on workplace reform a “victory for common sense” says hotel sector Australia’s peak hospitality bodies, the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), have welcomed the Productivity Commission’s draft recommendations for reforming Australia’s workplace relations and creating a more flexible system to benefit both businesses and employment. The recommendations were contained in the Productivity Commission’s draft report on Australia’s Workplace Relations Framework. On behalf of Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Accommodation Association of Australia, AHA made major submissions to the Inquiry. The report recommends more flexible working arrangements for workers in the 24/7 hospitality industry,
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Have you had a beer with Bill?
The legendary late Aussie actor Bill Hunter liked a drink. Wherever he went – for work or play – he could generally be found in the nearest pub having a drink and spinning a yarn; even between film takes. Have you had a beer with Bill
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Sky Racing and Victorian Thoroughbreds
Letter from AHA President, Peter Burnett, to all AHA members. Sky Letter to AHA Members 26 June 2015
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Pub punters need Victorian gallop vision
Australian pubs and punters remain frustrated regarding the ongoing battle over racing vision. Media Release – Pub punters urgently need Victorian gallop vision
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Media Release – Martin Ferguson AM appointed Chair of Tourism Accommodation Australia
The appointment of highly-respected former Federal Tourism Minister, The Hon. Martin Ferguson AM, as the new Chair of Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA), gives the sector its strongest voice in Canberra for many years. Media Release – Martin Ferguson AM appointed Chair of Tourism Accommodation Australia
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Media Release – Fair Work Australia agrees to ‘cashing out’ of accrued annual leave for hospitality industry workers
In a ‘win’ for the hotels and hospitality sector, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) yesterday released a decision that will allow the cashing out of accrued annual leave under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010 (“HIGA”) Media Release – Fair Work Australia agrees to ‘cashing out’ of accrued annual leave for hospitality industry workers 15.06.15
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Vale Ashley Spencer – A great ambassador for the Australian hotel industry
The very sad – and sudden – passing away of former Hilton Australasian VP, Ashley Spencer, shocked everyone in the Australian hotel industry. He lost his battle with cancer just after Easter. Ashley had been a major force in the Australian hotel industry since arriving from Singapore in 2007. His arrival here was part of a 27 year career with Hilton Worldwide, with his illustrious path taking him from the UK, through Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia before he took over as Vice President of Operations, Australasia.The name ‘Hilton’, of course, has worldwide cache in the hotel industry,
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Media Release – Penalty Rates Impact on Easter Trading
The prospect of penalty rates of up to 275% is forcing Australia’s hoteliers to curtail services over the Easter long weekend holiday period, with restaurants and bars the most affected.
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