4
HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • AUGUST 2014
Fabulous event, financial New Year and fond farewell
president's
message
The HRIA National Convention held in May on the Gold Coast was another fabulous event.
We trialled three days of live equipment demos running in conjunction with the trade
exhibition to positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike.
We trialled three days of live equipment
demos running in conjunction with the
trade exhibition to positive feedback from
exhibitors and visitors alike. Well done to
the team who pulled it all together and
good job to everyone who visited – the
convention is always a memorable event
and much business is done both on the
trade floor and while ‘networking’.
The awards dinner is always one of
the highlights of our annual industry
convention and this year, we again
showcased some outstanding member
businesses. The standard of entries just
gets higher each year which is a great
thing for our industry. We have industry
experienced judges who really can impart
the wisdom of their years. Who doesn’t
want that type of feedback?
I know I have said it before but I am going
to say it again… I can’t encourage you
enough to attend your state meetings, the
annual convention and encourage you to
seriously consider entering an award. Any
or all of these things will really benefit your
business.
Congratulations to all this year’s award
winners - both supplier and hire members.
August means we have moved into the
new financial year and our industry’s costs
are continuing to rise, with an extra 0.25%
required for superannuation topped by
a 3% increase to minimum wages. With
these two cost increases, it is certainly
a good time to review rates and ensure
these cost rises aren’t absorbed in the
bottom line.
While we are talking about the bottom
line, we should all note there is some
real movement happening with the
PPSA but it always seems to take
forever to get the results. The good
news is an amendment was due to
occur on 1 July 2014 that changes
the definition of 'motor vehicle' to a
more practical state. No longer will
hairdryers fall into the motor vehicle
category. There is also the intention of
changing the 90 day rule to 365 for all
plant but this requires a change to the
Act. It should go through in July with
the PPS Amendment Bill.
The main point to note is this makes no
difference to the way we do business
because 'idefinite hire' has yet to be
redefined. The regulators are well
aware of the issues thanks to the HRIA
committee of dedicated members tackling
the issue at a federal level and entirely at
the expense of the HRIA.
The Association, in cooperation with
the EWPA Inc have put in a detailed
submission to the PPSA Review Cttee led
by Bruce Whittaker. This can be viewed
on the members webpage. We need to
maintain the pressure here as this Act in
its current form will destroy many well run
hire businesses if the rules remain as unfair
as they are.
Please keep vigilant on this issue because
the hire industry remains very exposed
to losing plant personally owned. Only
when the law changes will the current
situation be resolved. In the meantime
please feedback any examples of the PPSA
at work to the national office so we can
build up the database to submit to the
government as part of the review.
This is my final president’s message as
I am passing the baton on. It has been a
great experience and an honour to have
served as president for the past four years.
I have made many new friends, learnt so
much and appreciated the support I have
received from the board, HRIA staff and all
the members.
As I leave, I make a special mention of
Neil Wallis who will leave the board this
year after serving for more than 10 years.
Neil you have done an enormous job
for our association and your knowledge,
dedication and passion will be missed.
Thank you all again for your support and
friendship.
Mark Scarce
National President
Mark Scarce, National President
Bi-Energy
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