Hire and Rental News - August 2019

President’s message ASSOCIATION NEWS Melbourne turned it on for HIRE19 F or two outstanding days in Melbourne, the weather was great and HIRE19 was another huge success. We had over 1500 people attending with 96 exhibitors, including 23 new exhibitors at this year’s Convention. This makes it seven years in a row we have achieved 100% capacity. This strength reflects how clients recognise the value of the rental offering, not just in construction, but in areas such as local government, who might have traditionally held more capital equipment assets. The convention was buzzing; perhaps a reflection of the unexpected election result a week earlier. We had outstanding speakers once again. I must say the highlight for me was Olympic cyclist Anna Meares, who gave us all an insight into her life and her drive to succeed. I am sure it wasn’t just me with a tear in my eye at the end of her speech. What an incredible person, we should all be extremely proud of her achievements representing Australia. Our Tuesday night Young Professionals and Women in Hire networking evening was the perfect opportunity for future leaders in our industry to come together. It was an awesome job by Katie, Dee and Strategic Alignment Training for organising the evening. I was fortunate to be able to take my son Blake, his wife Tara and my beautiful granddaughter Imogen, who you would have seen crawling around with her Barossa Valley Hire shirt on. Once again, we have come home re-energised and excited about capital purchases made and the awesome networking and free flowing discussions and sharing of ideas. I don’t know of any other industry that offers the same. Congratulations to all finalists and winners of the Best New Products, Best Stands and Rental Company of the Year awards. I would also once again like to thank our CEO James and all the HRIA staff for their hard work and dedication to making HIRE19 a huge success. To all delegates and exhibitors, thank you for supporting HIRE19. Through your continued involvement our Conventions will continue to grow and prosper. With your support we look forward to making HIRE20 in Adelaide just as successful. Another Federal Election has come and gone; and like many of you I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Hopefully, now we will get some continuity and our politicians will start to govern rather than worry about their job positions. One of the positives of having the same government is we can get back into canvassing for the removal of the dreaded PPSA. Go Gary and Tim. While writing this article I see there has been a 3% wage increase for low income earners. I urge everyone who employs staff to do their due diligence and check all your staff entitlements regularly to ensure you are not under paying anyone. HRNet is a great service available to all members which can help with any clarification around wages you may require. The flu season is well and truly upon us and I regularly see on the news old and young dying from this in every state. Our company has for many years encouraged all staff to have the flu vaccination which our company pays for. Over the past six to eight years we also encourage all of our staff’s spouses and children to also be vaccinated; again we pay for this. We believe it is cheap insurance. I cannot remember the last time we had someone off on sick leave due to the flu. It works for us and it may be worth considering for other members too. All the best, take care, stay safe. I look forward to catching up with you all in person soon. Mark Burton HRIA National President PPSA Update T he HRIA has warned all members to be aware it has now been two years since the Association and industry lobbied to have the amendment to the definition of a ‘PPS lease’ under the PPSA (Personal Property Securities Act 2009) enacted. The effect of that amendment or reprieve meant hires that commenced after 20 May 2017, unless exceeding two years, were not subject to the PPSA regime. James Oxenham, HRIA CEO said any hires which were entered into after 20 May 2017 and are still ongoing, are approaching PPS lease territory even under the amended PPSA. “If those hire arrangements are going to be in place beyond two years, they will need to be registered on the PPS Register. However, you should not wait until the two years has actually passed before you register your interest. We recommend registering before that time,” James said. “Although most of our members remain unaffected (with hires not exceeding two years) we are working on an exemption for all hires, regardless of timeframe, because we believe the PPSA, which is essentially a law about securities and financing arrangements, should never have applied to the hire industry in the first place. “The Association has continued its lobbying efforts on both sides of politics, as well as consultation with the major banks and the Attorney General’s department. We will be back in touch with the powers that be in Canberra for a concerted push to have the hire industry exempted from the PPSA.” All legal questions regarding the PPSA can be directed to the HRIA’s specialist advisors, lawyers Oliver Shtein and Karen Wong at Bartier Perry: www.bartier.com.au Further details on the two year period plus the consequences of failing to register your security interest under a PPS lease are set out in the quick reference and more detailed guidance notes produced by the HRIA on its website. n Visit: www.hireandrental.com.au/resources/ ppsa-and-the-hire-and-rental-industry P4 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS AUGUST 2019