Elections are the cornerstones on which democracy rests. And it is so with the MTA Queensland as an industrial organisation of employers. The Rules establish the process for the running of elections and these are strictly adhered to. Under normal circumstances the election process would be nearing completion, but this year the process has been disrupted by the Covid-19 incursion.
Members will have received notification of a General Meeting (via Zoom) to be held on Tuesday 13th October to consider a Rule change that will allow all elections to be held over for a 12-month period. The Board of Directors approved the Rule change application to insert a Covid-19 provision in the Rules relating to this year’s elections. It can be approved only by a special resolution at a General Meeting. Your support and approval for the Rule change is necessary.
In a previous Viewpoint, I intimated that in March this year the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) paused, for three months, elections for industrial organisations registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. It was concerned that due to the Covid-19 restrictions, relevant stakeholders may not have a full opportunity to participate in the elections, either as candidates, nominators, voters or scrutineers. The timeline was extended to 30 September.
The AEC has now provided additional advice on the conduct of elections. It is this: ‘elections essential to ensure the continuing governance of the organisation’, should proceed. The AEC would work with it and the Registered Organisations Commission to ensure the ‘critical positions proceed to election’. MTA Queensland assessed each of the current elected positions and determined that an election of any positions would not be considered ‘critical’ to ensure continuing governance of the Association as all positions are filled and functioning. That, however, is not the end of the matter.
Members support and approval
MTA Queensland Rules set the framework for the election process which are strictly observed. This means the Rules must be changed and members support and approval is necessary to permit all elections to be held over for a 12-month period. This decision was reached following careful assessment of all current elected positions.
The Rule change means, if agreed by members, the biennial elections for Divisions, Districts and the Executive will be delayed by 12 months. The current two-year terms of office will be extended by one year. The Rule change only applies to the 2018-2020 and 2019-2021 terms of office. It does not extend to any future terms of office. It applies to both terms of office as elections for the Divisions and Districts are on a rotation basis where approximately half are elected each year.
The Rule alteration is consistent with the Registered Organisations Commission’s and the AECs recognition that ‘the priority of the Australian community at this time including officers and members of organisations, is protecting the health and wellbeing of the community’ and the temporary postponement of industrial elections may be necessary.
I have been involved, one way or another with the MTA Queensland’s election processes for more than 16 years. I have the responsibility for compliance with the Association’s electoral Rules. Due to the Covid-19 turmoil, uncertainty has prevailed for our election processes. Now the AEC has clarified the pathway ahead. In the light of its advices, and the Association’s assessment of its functions as an industrial organisation of employers, the Board of Directors seeks the approval of members for a rule change application that will allow all elections to be held over for a 12-month period.
I urge members to consider the proposed Rule change set out in the Notice of the 13th October (via Zoom) General Meeting, to participate and vote. Unlike some other Rule changes, the requirement of 75 per cent support is not required. This Rule change, in terms of our electoral processes, has consequences in the medium term for our governance and your support and approval is urged to ensure the continuation of the Association’s high standard of governance.
Cyber security
The Covid-19 pandemic has entrenched digital computer technologies for commercial, work, health care, education, entertainment and shopping transactions. At the same time, security risk has increased from malicious cyber activity. The Federal Government’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy sets the framework to build new cybersecurity and law enforcement capabilities, protect the essential services upon which the nation depends, assist businesses to protect themselves and raise the community’s understanding of how to be secure online.
MTA Queensland is conscious of the need for online security for members. A free digital workshop/webinar for automotive small business has dealt with the critical issues of online security, data privacy, working in the cloud, customer relationship management and software. This was done under its role as one of the 15 small business associations to deliver the Australian Government’s Small Business Digital Champion project.
Members should act on the warnings of malicious cyber-attacks and take steps to enhance the resilience of their networks. On a daily basis there are innocent looking emails filtering into the system, or latent attacks aimed at accessing your data or to lock your business down in return for a ransom. Two important protection steps have been advised: The first is patch internet-facing devices promptly – ensuring web or email services are fully updated with the latest software, and the second is ensure the use of multi-factor authentication to secure the internet-accessible infrastructure and cloud-based platforms.
Late payments
Our corporate partner, Illion, has forwarded to me their ‘Late Payment’ report for the June quarter. By way of background, Illion is a leading independent provider of data and analytics products and services in Australasia. Unsurprisingly, late payments through the June 2020 quarter have incurred the sharpest increase in 10 years, averaging 10.8 days, up 8.4 per cent from March quarter, and an increase of 7.7 per cent compared with the June quarter last year. The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on Australian businesses is becoming increasingly apparent, with month-on-month increases in late payment days since April. In particular, during June, late payment days jumped 9 per cent in a single month.
In some good news, if there is good news relating to late payments, Queensland, in the June quarter, recorded the lowest level of late payments averaging 10.1 days, up by 2.3 percent. Substantial percentage increases were recorded in the other States.
Finally
I came across a story that epitomised the good characteristics of the automotive value chain that I feel compelled to share. In this instance, a Townsville automotive business, Attention to Detail, undertook to ‘fix on behalf of the city of Townsville’ two vehicles that were the subject of ‘youth crime’. Two exotic supercars from the Gold Coast based Super Car Rides, a Mclaren 570s and a Ferrari California were targeted by vandals. Attention to Detail’s principal approached the owners and offered to fix the vehicles for free and offered safe overnight storage. It was their first day in Townsville and the vandalism had left a ‘bad taste in the mouth’, but the generous offer was ‘awesome’. ‘It was a horrible experience but it’s good to see that there some good in people.’ This is only one of the many good deeds by the automotive value chain, the rest are unsung.
Until next month take care and stay safe.
8 October 2020