Union Channels Energy To Save Jobs
The Age
Saturday February 21, 2004
THE LADDER
Australia's film and television industry is doing its sums on jobs that will be lost if the proposed free-trade agreement with the US goes ahead.
It is estimated that about 30,000 people work in the two areas of production and early indications are that many jobs, particularly long term, will be at risk.
It is still not too late to make amendments or drop the agreement, says Alan Fletcher, Victorian president of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
``As the details of the agreement emerge it's becoming clear that the total deal is nowhere near as good as the government first led us to believe. Huge sections of industry and agriculture are missing out, and the alleged dollar benefits are dwindling.
``So far as film and television is concerned, we are terribly disappointed. The government led us to believe we would be consulted about any offer it made to the US but all we got was a briefing, which alarmed us."
Mr Fletcher - Dr Karl in Neighbours - says the introduction of digital broadcasting, which will allow Australian networks to transmit many channels simultaneously, is a sticking point.
``The deal so far is that 80 per cent of channels will be free of any Australian content rules and for the remaining 20 per cent we don't know what kind of programming mix is proposed.
``In film it seems there will be no protection. The result for these two branches of our industry will be a sharp decline in productions and, thus, jobs. But much worse, it will mean Australians will have no control of what kind of culture is beamed at them.
``Technology is moving more rapidly in film and TV than in - say - the sugar industry. It is simply not possible to lock in rules for systems that might not have been invented yet.
``This is a battle that has been going on almost since TV started here and it's quite fair that you should have two sides negotiating. But once this agreement is in place there will be no point fighting - America, as the world's dominant entertainment industry, would simply point to the contract."
In a statement on the Alliance's website www.alliance .org.au/ Equity director Simon Whipp says the government has reneged on its promise to discuss offers made to US trade negotiators.
``This is despite assurances that they have protected our right to ensure local content on Australian media while retaining the capacity to regulate new and emerging media - including digital and interactive television."
Recruitment drive
Medallist Developments, the joint venture between Greg Norman's Great White Shark Enterprises and Macquarie Bank, is looking for up to nine new staff to project-manage the creation of residential communities in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The company is considering the appointment of a three-person team to each state, comprising a division director, manager and analyst.
With golfing estates already established in the United States, Mexico and Australia, Medallist Developments has used the Norman brand to forge ahead.
Ian Dunbar, recruitment manager for Macquarie's banking and property group, says Medallist has become a popular company to work for.
``Everyone thinks they play golf all day and lunch with Greg Norman but they actually work very hard," he says.
The recruits will report to chief operating officer Glen Elkington.
Dunbar says projects will encompass land subdivision, house construction and the creation of bona fide communities.
Apply online at www.macquarie.com.au/ experiencecareers
Dawning of new age
Despite Australia's rapidly ageing workforce, fewer than one in three employers are seeking to attract mature-aged workers, according to a survey of almost 7500 companies.
Hudson chief executive Anne Hatton said that when combined with Australia's 14-year low unemployment level, the finding sounded a clear warning to employers.
``With a diminishing pool of talent for employers, mature workers are becoming increasingly important. They are the only remaining segment of the workforce in which participation rates can be increased," Ms Hatton says.
``With birth rates declining we have fewer workers entering the workforce and as a nation we are facing the prospect of an increasing number of people dependent on the public purse. Australia must encourage mature people to participate in the workforce if we are to maintain our standard of living.
``The good news is that there is a great deal of interest in working past retirement age - almost 70 per cent of Australian managers would like to remain in the workforce on a part-time or casual basis after retiring from full-time work."
The report suggests that employers may not fully understand what mature workers want in terms of moving to retirement.
Suggested strategies include:
• Audit mature workers on leaving intentions and what critical skills may be lost.
• Survey workers over 45 to understand their needs and preferences.
• Create flexible work arrangements for mature staff.
• Introduce roles that retain their status and value.
• Review recruitment practices and attitudes of hiring managers.
• Train mature workers in information management and career change.
``We call on the Commonwealth and State governments to consider ways to encourage mature-aged people back into the workforce," Ms Hatton says.
Chapel off Chapel
Melbourne's equivalent of an off-Broadway performing arts and gallery venue, is seeking a manager.
Tertiary qualifications in arts management or business management would be handy, as would a fine balance between artistic sensitivity and commercial pragmatism.
The venue is owned by Stonnington Council, so there is access to marketing and accounting resources. As key sponsor, the council is looking for a close partnership with the successful candidate.
Councillor Claude Ullin says suitable candidates will probably have managed an arts venue or festival and will need experience in box office operations, technical production issues, programming and negotiating.
The Ladder has heard that the salary would be about $80,000. Email erassoc@mcarthur.com.au
Yahoo! needs you
There is a fabulous job as PR manager at Yahoo! Australia & NZ but you may have to cart incumbent Anna Featherstone out on your way in. She's reluctantly leaving after five years in the role to take care of her children.
The effervescent Featherstone is well-known in the industry, as is Yahoo! itself. According to the Nielsen/NetRatings report for September 2003, Yahoo! is the global leader in online audiences.
``We're the most recognisable online brand," Featherstone says. ``The company has a really healthy future, with global market capitalisation of $30 billion."
Yahoo! is keen on buzz marketing generating publicity by word of mouth, so creativity is a must. David Clarke, of recruitment firm Hudson, says the company is looking for someone with a genuine interest in current affairs who can also identify ``hot buttons" for consumers.
The recruit will be a radio and press spokesman for the brand, which covers everything from email to online dating to search and news functions.
Yahoo! Australia & NZ offers attractive HR benefits, including an employee stock purchase plan, massages and the chance to work overseas. Applications will be taken online at www.hudsonresourcing.com.au
Please forward The Laddercontributions to pedwards@fairfax.com.au
TOP JOB
Talk the tech at BHP
Research and development is often the first thing hit when big business cuts costs. Not so for BHP Billiton, with a substantial R&D program that centres on developing and implementing innovative technology.
The company is searching for a global technology manager, mineral separation and hydro-metallurgy.
Richard Hazelwood, of recruitment firm Executive Search, says BHP Billiton is totally committed to R&D and considers it critical for the long-term strategic future of the company.
The role, which will focus on more efficient technology to separate minerals from rocks, has been vacated by Dr Brian Smith, who moves to a new position within BHP. While Smith worked from Melbourne, the new recruit will be based in Newcastle but will be expected to travel extensively between the company's global projects.
Hazelwood is expecting applicants from around the world for what he describes as a role of international importance, with a salary package to match.
Inquiries to Hazelwood on (08) 9481 7033.
MY FIRST JOB
Maid to order
Jackie French, author of gardening books and children's fiction, has just published her first novel for adults A War for Gentlemen.
It started as a holiday job, working as a kitchen maid at the Mater Maternity Hospital in Brisbane. We were ruled by an elderly and very Irish nun who would hitch up her skirts, and I mean those old penguin suits and jig around the kitchen to the radio. She was passionate about ``her mothers", so the kitchen put out this extraordinary range of old-fashioned Australian delicacies; lamingtons made fresh every day, there were ``jam drops" and ``kisses" it had to be different, morning, noon and night. I was only washing up but in between I got to eat all these things. I learnt a lot about cooking and a lot about kitchens, and a lot about the women who worked there.
Work words
``The closest you can get to perfection is on your resume." - Anon
© 2004 The Age