IPWEA Vic Blog

Engineering profession undermined by tax proposal
Engineers Australia has joined other professional bodies in condemning tax proposals by federal treasurer Wayne Swan to limit tax deductibility to $2000 for work-related self-education expenses.

“Wayne Swan’s announcement represents a severe threat to professional education in Australia,” said Stephen Durkin, chief executive of EA.   “Chartered engineers are required to undertake 50 hours of continuing professional development each year. Mr Swan’s announcement fails to recognise that ongoing professional education and development is a necessity for engineers and other professionals.
If Australia wants to have a highly skilled professional workforce that can compete in the global economy, then we have to be serious about aligning our policies to support this outcome. The last thing we should be doing is removing incentives for self-funded education.   Professionals working in rural and regional Australia will be hardest hit by this announcement. Theseindividuals are often faced with no choice but to travel to major centres to undertake training and education, and travel costs can easily represent half of their professional education expenses. This is another blow to an already struggling sector.

Engineers and other professionals have an ethical responsibility to further their professional expertise through continuing professional development.  The community would rightly expect that our professional workforce maintains the highest education and development standards.  Any step that makes it harder for people to invest in their skills and expertise is a step backward for this country. This announcement will compromise Australia’s future by putting professional educationoptions out of reach for many people.   If Australia wants to have a highly skilled professional workforce that can compete in the global economy, then we have to be serious about aligning our policies to support this outcome. The last thing we should be doing is removing incentives for self-funded education.   Engineers Australia strongly opposes this policy measure and we call on the Treasurer to reconsider his position as a matter of urgency,” said Mr Durkin.

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Sponsorship Opportunity for Young Engineers to attend the 2013 IPWEA International Public Works Conference“Explore New Territory”, Darwin – 11-15 August 2013

This year, from 11 to 15 August 2013 IPWEA is holding its biennial International Public Works Conference in Darwin.

The theme of the conference is “Explore New Territory” and will provide delegates with a broad range of session topics across themes including Roads and Transport, Road Safety, Asset Management, Sustainability, Environmental Management, Flood Recovery, and a range of other themes.

Sponsorship Opportunity for Young Engineers to Attend

The Municipal Engineering Foundation Victoria, through IPWEA Victoria, is generously making available three sponsorships of up to $3000 (GST inclusive) for young engineers under the age of 35 from rural councils to attend the conference.  The sponsorship will cover costs associated with the conference registration, accommodation and travel.

Successful applicants will be required to provide a report to the Municipal Engineering Foundation Victoria following their attendance at the conference.

IPWEA Victoria is writing to CEOs of all Victorian rural councils seeking nominations for young engineers to attend.

We would like to encourage you to submit a nomination for any young engineers under the age of 35 on your staff to attend the International Public Works Conference in Darwin later this year.

In order to take advantage of the early bird registration fees, which close 3 June 2013, and to ensure that flights and accommodation can easily be arranged at reasonable rates, nominations will close at 5 pm on Friday 17 May 2013.

Submission of Nominations

Nominations must be submitted by 5 pm on Friday, 17 May 2013 to: IPWEA Victoria, PO Box 115, Oakleigh South   VIC   3167 or by email to vic@ipwea.org.au

Submissions should provide the following:

• details about the young engineer from your staff, including their role, age and contact details;
• an overview of their time working in local government;
• a statement of how they will benefit from attending the International Public Works Conference, and
• whether they are a member of IPWEA or an industry association.

Successful Applicants

Successful applicants will be notified by 29 May 2013.

Applicants will be responsible for arranging the conference registration, accommodation and travel arrangements and will be reimbursed up to $3000 (GST inclusive) following the provision of an invoice and evidence of costs incurred.

Successful applicants will be required to submit a report to the Municipal Engineering Foundation Victoria following the conference that provides an overview of the conference and the benefits that were achieved from attending.  The report should be submitted by 30 September 2013.

Further background to the IPWEA International Public Works Conference can be obtained by visiting http://www.aomevents.com/IPWC2013

For information about IPWEA Victoria please visit http://www.ipwea.org.au/vic

For information about the Municipal Engineering Foundation, Victoria please visit http://mefvic.org.au/

Should you require any further details, please contact Mark Varmalis, Board Director of IPWEA Vic, Trustee of MEF Vic and Director Environment & Engineering at Yarra Ranges Shire Council on telephone number 03 9294 6353 or by email at m.varmalis@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

We look forward to receiving a submission from the young engineer of your organisation

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