The Norwegian Chamber Launch Event in Perth on the 7th of June was a great success and an important benchmark for the continous growth of the Norwegian Chamber in Australia. 

The event had 40 attendess from multiple industries and companies in Perth, as well as great and insightful talks from KPMG, AMMA and the Norwegian Ambassador Unni Kløvstad.

We would like to welcome Yara Pilbara and DOF Subsea as corporate members in Perth, as well as  Kongsberg Maritime and Searcher Seismicas a business members in Perth.

Thank you to everyone attending the event, and we look forward to many more successful events in the future in Perth. Please contact us if you have any ideas for events or would like to cooperate in the future.

The Norwegian-Australian Chamber of Commerce had our first partner event in Melbourne this week, Monday 29th of May.

The event was a great success with 380 guests in total from the 14 participating European chambers.

We look forward to collaborating on similar events in the future and are currently looking for Regional Directors in the Melbourne area for the Chamber.

On 18 April 2017, the Government announced that the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (Subclass 457) will be abolished and replaced with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in March 2018.  Some changes have already been implemented and more changes will be made throughout the year to transition from the Subclass 457 visa to the TSS.  The changes also affect the permanent residency visa under the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).

 

One of the changes which took effect on 19 April 2017 is that the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) have been replaced with the Medium and Long-term Strategic List (MLTSSL) and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). In the process, 216 occupations have been removed entirely from the visa program and 59 occupations have limitations (“caveats”) placed on them. The STSOL and MLTSSL will be reviewed every 6 months. The Government has already announced that further changes will come into effect on 1 July 2017, 31 December 2017 and 1 March 2018.

This means that if an employer wishes to sponsor an overseas employee either for a temporary visa or for permanent residency for which the employee currently qualifies, the application should be lodged as soon as possible with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) as changes may be made at any time without warning.  However, even if an application has been lodged and the requirements are met at the time of lodgement, the visa may still be rejected if the requirements are changed while the visa is being processed.  If this is the case, any fees that have been paid may or may not be recovered.

 

If you wish to discuss visa options for your employees or want more information on the proposed changes, please do not hesitate to contact us at mkobras@schweizer.com.au or give us a call on (02) 9223 9399.

 

May 2017

 

 

Disclaimer

 

This article contains comments of a general nature only and is provided as an information service only. The article also reflects the law as at the date it was written and may not take into account any recent or subsequent developments in the law. The article is not intended to be relied upon, nor is it a substitute for specific professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by Schweizer Kobras, Lawyers & Notaries or the author(s) for any loss occasioned to any person doing anything as a result of anything contained in the article.

On the 11th of April, 2017, Hon Julie Bishop announced the appointment of Ms Mary Ellen Miller as Australia's next Ambassador to Denmark with non-resident accreditation to Iceland and Norway.

Today I announce the appointment of Ms MaryEllen Miller as Australia's next Ambassador to Denmark with non-resident accreditation to Iceland and Norway.

Australia enjoys strong bilateral relations with Denmark, Iceland and Norway, and extensive people-to-people links, with over 78,000 Australians claiming ancestry from these three countries. We share an enduring commitment to global security and cooperate closely on human rights, gender equality, development cooperation, climate change, non-proliferation and disarmament, and trade liberalisation.

Australia, Denmark and Norway work together to counter violent extremism and terrorism including through our military contributions to the international Coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria, as well as the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, to which Iceland also contributes.

Norway and Denmark are important investment partners for Australia, with two-way investment in 2015 worth $22.1 billion and $5.5 billion. Two-way goods and services trade with Denmark, Norway and Iceland in 2015-16 was worth $2.5 billion, $1.2 billion and $149 million, respectively.

Ms Miller is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Assistant Secretary, Non-Government Organisations & Volunteers Branch. She has held a range of positions in DFAT, including Assistant Secretary, Scholarships & Alumni Branch. Ms Miller holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Canberra.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Damien Miller for his contributions to advancing Australia's interests in Denmark, Iceland and Norway since 2013.

Our members met with the newly appointed Ambassador, at a successful roundtable discussion hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the 7th of April.

The Norwegian Chamber President, Sophia Demetriades Toftdahl, welcomes the announcement of the appointment and looks forward to a productive relationship between the Chamber and the Ambassador. 

On November 17, 2016, HE Ms Unni Kløvstad, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway invited more than 100 delegates from Norwegian companies with a presence in Australia to the 2016 Norwegian Embassy Annual Business seminar . The keynote address was by the Norwegian State Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Ms Ingvil Tybring Gjedde.

Following the keynote address, Miranda Taylor, the CEO of National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), spoke about unlocking commercial opportunities and drive Innovation; followed by Silje Troseth, General Manager Q-free who spoke about Smart Cities – Intelligent Transport Technology and Innovation for tomorrow’s societies. A panel of the three aforementioned seekers was then moderated by Paul Cleary, Journalist for the Australian and author of the book 'Trillion Dollar Baby'.

The second part of the seminar included interesting talks on how Norwegian Australian business can succeed employing resources from Innovation Norway, The Norwegian Embassy and The Norwegian Australian Chamber of Commerce, held by Svend Haakon Kristensen from Innovation Norway and Sophia Demetriades Toftdahl, President of the Norwegian Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Now in its third year, the Norwegian Embassy Annual Business Seminar is a professional update and networking opportunity for Norwegian companies operating or investing in Australia and the wider South Pacific region.

Delegates then enjoyed a  networking lunch with the seminar organisers and speakers.

Embassy staff, as well as representatives from the European Australian Business Council, Innovation Norway and Norwegian Australian Business Network were also be available to discuss business activities within the Embassy's jurisdiction of Australia, New Zealand, Cook Island, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Tuvalu.

Program and Speaker Profiles are included below. 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
State Secretary Ingvil Tybring-Gjedde
The Global Energy Outlook Towards 2030 Seen from Norway. How to Innovate & Stay Ahead

Ingvil Smines Tybring-Gjedde was appointed Deputy Minister in the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy on December 16th 2015. She is a representative of the Norwegian Progress Party (FrP), and deputy organizational leader of Oslo FrP. Tybring-Gjedde came from the position as Project Manager at Innovation Norway. Previously, she has worked as a Senior Adviser in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with oil and gas in management positions at Innovation Norway and The Norwegian School of Management – BI.
SPEAKERS
Miranda Taylor, CEO of National Energy Resources Australia (NERA)
How to Unlock Commercial Opportunities and Drive Innovation 

Prior to appointment as CEO of National Energy Resources Australia, Miranda Taylor was the Director Environment, Safety & Operational Performance for APPEA. Miranda has more than 20 years' experience in strategic policy, risk management and stakeholder engagement, working with various industries and with State and Federal governments. Miranda has participated in a number of task forces and ministerial panels, and has presented at international oil and gas industry events. She facilitated APPEA's interaction with the global industry in response to the Gulf of Mexico well control integrity disaster and the Australian Montara incident. Miranda has an Honours Degree from The London School of Economics, London University in International Economics and Politics, and a Post Graduate Degree in Labour Relations.
Silje Troseth, General Manager Q-free
Smart Cities – Intelligent Transport Technology and Innovation for Tomorrow’s Societies

Silje Troseth has been a Transportation professional for over 15 years. In her work in the Transport Industry she has been focussing on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in the European, Asia Pacific and Australian markets. More recently Silje has been championing the Smart City concept and vison for Q-Free. She holds a Masters degree in Communications and Journalism from University of Technology Sydney. Born in Norway, Silje has called Australia her home since 1999.
Paul Cleary, The Australian
The Trillion Dollar Baby, the Norwegian Oil and Gas Adventure Seen from Australia

Paul Cleary is a prominent Australian journalist who has documented the politics and economics of resource extraction for more than a decade. He served as an adviser to the government of East Timor on resource-sector governance and negotiations, and has a doctorate from the Australian National University. He is the author of Too Much Luck, Mine-Field and Trillion Dollar Baby.

Sophia Demetriades Toftdahl, President, the NorwegianAustralian Chamber of Commerce (NACC)
How to Succeed In Australia?  

As a communications specialist, Sophia has been involved in the daily operation of business networks such as TiE and BNI, is a member of several chambers of commerce, has written 2 eBooks on leveraging networks to succeed, and a thesis on excellence in communication. She tailors communication to employers, employees, customers, & strategic partners.

The Norwegian Australian Business Network is for all intents and purposes an establishment of Norwegian Australian Chamber of Commerce. It launched in 2014, with the objective to be Australia’s premier Norwegian Australian business organisation.

Program Overview

Wednesday 16 November

17:00-19:00 Networking Cocktail Function

Thursday 17 November

8:30am Registration & Coffee

9:00am Welcome

H.E. Unni Kløvstad, Ambassador of Norway

9:10am The Global Energy Outlook Towards 2030 Seen From Norway. How to Innovate & Stay Ahead?

Ingvil Tybring-Gjedde, Deputy Minister, the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy

9:30am How to Unlock Commercial Opportunities and Drive Innovation (tbc)

Miranda Taylor, CEO, National Energy Resources Australia (NERA)

9:45am Smart Cities – Intelligent Transport Technology and Innovation for Tomorrow’s Societies

Silje Troseth, General Manager Q-free

10:00am Panel Discussion with Q&A

Moderated by Paul Cleary

 

10:30am Coffee break

11:00am The Trillion Dollar Baby, The Norwegian Oil And Gas Adventure Seen From Australia

Paul Cleary, The Australian

11:30am How to Succeed Internationally?

Sven Haakon Kristensen, Innovation Norway

11:45am How to Succeed In Australia?

Sophia Demetriades Toftdahl, President, the NorwegianAustralian Chamber of Commerce (NACC)

12:00 pm How Can We Help? Working Together. Followed by Q&A

H.E. Unni Kløvstad, Ambassador of Norway

12:30pm Networking Lunch

On June 12, The Norwegian Australian Chamber of Commerce invited Presidents from the other European Chambers for the Chambers second Boardroom breakfast at QT Hotel in Sydney. The aim of this event was to introduce the Norwegian companies to other European players in Australia and invite further Norwegian company representatives. Attendees were entertained and educated by Handeelsbanken Economist  Knut Anton Mork. Handelsbanken is the only Scandinavian bank with a presence in Australia.

First Secretary for the Norwegian Embassy in Canberra, Kaja Glomm, explained their presence in Australia and welcomed members to reach out should they need anything.

With outstanding food an in great company by 55 CEO's, this event resulted in further member subscriptions and stronger network ties within the European Australian community.

Sponsor: Handelsbanken

Speaker: Knut Anton Mork, Chief Economist for Handelsbanken Norway

Presentation: http://norwegianchamber.com.au/boardroom-breakfast-presentation-handelsbanken/

The Norwegian company Wavetrain Systems has, in the matter of months, established itself as a large contributor to road and rail safety here in Australia. The company is working towards a railway technology that will not only save millions of dollars but also human lives.

Founded in Norway in 2009, the company first hit Australian soil last year July 1. Within a few months, Wavetrain Systems’ technology for railway safety has already received green light for trials in Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales and expects full integration of the system into Australian railways within a few years’ time.

Their main focus at the moment are the railway level crossings, which produce great danger for road workers, wildlife, humans and also the trains. By creating a sensory technology that will detect the smallest forms of movement within 8 kilometres, Wavetrain Systems is opening a whole new world of possibilities.

 

Railway authorities across the world struggle to reach their goals in regards to safety at these level crossings, and this is the way to reduce the risk.

“We are currently focusing on the countries around the world that operate within CENELEC standards, and this includes Australia,” says the Country Manager for Wavetrain Systems Mark Foster.

During a presentation held by the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce Wednesday 26th April, Mark Foster spoke to all the leading Norwegian businesses that are based here in Sydney and a part of NACC. He also announced that Mike Devlin had accepted the role as Managing Director for the Australian entity.

“We expect that in a few years’ time, our technology will be incorporated into the whole Australian railway system,” he concluded.

“We are pleased to see a Norwegian company doing so well in Australia, trusting this innovation will positively affect Australian rail safety and lives,” says President of the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce Sophia Demetriades Toftdahl.

Click here to read more about Wavetrain Systems.

As a part of the Embassy’s ongoing dialogue and cooperation with Norwegian business, Ambassador Unni Kløvstad, hosted a network lunch for Norwegian companies in Sydney, with participants from  Ekornes, FuelBox, Imatis, Meltwater, Norske Skog, Q-Free, Scandinavian Business Seating, Wavetrain Systems and Wilhelmsen Ships Service among others.

The Norwegian Embassy in Canberra and the Consulate General in Sydney along with Norwegian Chamber of Commerce and Norwegian companies, make up Team Norway in Sydney. The Team works to strengthen cooperation and a sense of community among Norwegian actors in order to promote Norwegian value creation overseas.

Whilst in Sydney, The Ambassador also visited the office of the Norwegian company Imatis, which is Scandinavia’s leading digital health application provider. The Ambassador was given an interesting presentation of the Imatis Visi solution which is a complete system for managing resources, processes and collaboration along the patient pathway. Imatis’ innovative health application is already in use at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and at 11 of Healthscope’s hospitals.

During the Barents Sea Conference in Hammerfest today, Statoil presented a new subsea concept that is designed to reduce cost and increase efficiency. This concept is called Cap-X.

Cap-X was today presented by Margareth Øvrum, Statoils’, Vice President for Technology, Projects and Drilling.

"Once again we aim to drive subsea technology development on the Norwegian continental shelf together with our industry partners. The potential for increased efficiency and reduced costs can make this the next standard within subsea templates," says Margareth Øvrum.

"With Cap-X, Statoil is one step closer to a “plug and play” solution on the seabed."

This technology increases the efficiency of horizontal drilling in shallow reservoirs.

To read the full article, go here.

Woodside today signed a five-year charter contract with Norwegian company Siem Offshore Australia Pty Ltd.

This agreement delivers Australia its first LNG-powered (Liquified Natural Gas) marine support vessel in 2017.

Woodside is Australia’s most experienced LNG operator and largest independent oil and gas company.

The company is currently working towards a greener future by reducing vessel greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions among other areas.

Visit the Woodside website to view the full media press release.

Visit Woodside.com.au