1. BUSINESS SUBMISSION 40% Note you must choose the Business Submission assignment OR the essay assignment. You are required to prepare a 1500 word business submission on behalf of an interest group, firm or business association on a hypothetical government inquiry. The objective of the submission is to clearly outline the interests and concerns held by business in relation to the policy issue central to the inquiry scenario. This process will also involve reviewing and expanding the existing policy position held by the firm or organization you are representing. The central objective of the submission is to make a case as to why government should follow the advice contained in the submission. The key is to research and develop a clear argument in relation to the policy issue and to present it in a persuasive manner. More information on the research and writing of your business submission will be provided in tutorials and lectures. There is also an example of a previous business submission posted at L@G, along with a commentary on why this submission received a high mark. THE TASK: You are a political lobbyist and have been contracted by a leading firm, business association or non-business stakeholder to prepare a submission promoting the interests of one of your clients in relation to a government review or proposed review of one of the policy issues listed below. To assist you with this exercise, names of potential clients have been suggested. You may prepare a submission on behalf of another relevant party of your choosing; however you must check the suitability of your choice with your tutor before proceeding. While there is no one single ‘best’ way to structure a business submission, we recommend that your submission should have a brief introductory section which covers the following issues: • Title • Name and background of your client • The issue(s) you are addressing • The historical background of the issue The main section of the submission (the body) needs to clearly identify both the main issues your client wishes to raise in relation to the Government’s proposal and present evidence and persuasive arguments in support of the policy approach your client recommends. It should also include possible counter-arguments and your rebuttal to these. The use of subheadings is encouraged. A minimum of 8 references is required, which should include some academic sources. All material drawn from these references must be appropriately cited. Use SafeAssign (see Assessment: General Information above) if unsure. CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING POLICY ISSUES: 1. Fat Tax: There are a number of proposals to deal with Australia’s love of junk food. The National Preventative Health Task Force has recommended everything from subsidies for gym memberships to subsidising fresh fruit. Some countries have placed a so-called ‘fat tax’ on foods that are considered unhealthy. In Denmark, the tax was placed on foods with high saturated fat content, but there are a range of ways such a tax could be implemented, such as on sugar content as was done in Mexico and the UK. You will represent one of the interest groups listed below in making a submission to the Australian government on possible implementation of a tax on unhealthy food. Make sure your recommendation is clear on your group’s position on the fat tax (should a tax be implemented or not) and if yes, how should it be implemented (which foods or ingredients should be taxed and by how much?). Also carefully research your interest group. What would their stance on this issue be? Health groups would generally support some kind of tax on unhealthy food, while food industry groups would not as it would affect their business and profits. Evidence to support your position should come from academic sources as well as news articles and industry and health websites. You are invited to prepare a submission to the Federal Government on behalf of one of the following stakeholders: Interest groups you may select from (choose one only): Public Health Association of Australia https://www.phaa.net.au/ The Obesity Policy Coalition http://www.opc.org.au/ Consumers Health Forum: https://chf.org.au/ Australian Food and Grocery Council http://www.afgc.org.au/?s=sugar+labelling&x=19&y=11 Further information: https://www.phaa.net.au/documents/item/1694 2. Queensland Lockout laws to curb alcohol-fueled violence: In 2014 Premier Campbell Newman introduced Safe Night Out legislative amendments into the Queensland parliament. The primary objective of the proposed amendment was to reduce alcohol and drug related violence in Queensland’s nightlife by ensuring bad behavior was not tolerated, providing safe and supportive entertainment precincts and working to change the culture of responsibility. Not included however, was any proposal for early closing laws such as were trialled in Newcastle, New South Wales in 2008 (see: http://theconversation.com/earlier-pub-closing-times-key -to-reducing-alcohol-fuelled-assaults-23829) and introduced by the NSW government on 24 February 2014. These ‘lockout’ laws ordered bars in Sydney inner-city ‘hotspots’ to cease serving alcohol at 3am instead of, as formerly, 5.30am. The results were mixed with hotels closing down (Flinders Hotel Sydney) which caused the government to bring forward a review of the laws. This was opposed by medical authorities. CEO of St Vincent’s Health Australia, Toby Hall, said in 2015 “There’s been a significant reduction in the level of severe trauma” and it was “a clear correlation once the law was brought in and things changed very quickly and that’s been maintained today” (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-12/doctors-warn-aginst-relaxing-nsw-lockout-laws-as-injuries-drop/6012042) In 2016 the Queensland Labor government introduced a review of the Safe Night Out strategy and called an inquiry as to whether lockout laws should be introduced for Queensland hotspots. As a result, the Queensland government introduced a range of measures. From July 1, patrons will find their requests for alcoholic drinks denied from 3am in entertainment districts, while suburban clubs, bars, pubs and hotels will stop serving drinks at 2am. Shots and other rapid-consumption drinks will be banned from midnight across the state. Most importantly, the government imposed a 1am lockout, due to be implemented in February 2017, however this has been delayed pending further discussion. You are required to submit a submission to the Queensland government arguing for or against the introduction of the early closing legislation. Queensland Coalition for Action on Alcohol (http://www.qcaa.org.au/about-us/) Queensland Hotels Assocation (http://www.qha.org.au) Australian Medical Association (https://ama.com.au/system/tdf/documents/Alcohol-fuelled-Violence-Submission-March-2016.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=43961) Queensland Police Union (http://www.qpu.asn.au/) Queensland Ambulance Service (http://ambulance.qld.gov.au/index/html) 3. Direct Importation of cars In 2015 the Abbott government approved a plan to allow individuals to purchase new or second-hand cars and motorcycles from overseas, so long as they met strict requirements. This was part of a strategy aimed at ending protectionism and increasing competition within the Australian car market. From 2018, consumers would be able to import a new car or motorcycle from countries with comparable Australian standards. Vehicles imported must be no more than 12 months old, right hand drive and have less than 500km on the odometer. Groups opposing the plan argued the benefits would flow only to those able to purchase luxury cars such as Lamborghinis etc, while lower market end vehicles such as Hyundai would be more expensive to import. However, in November 2016 the Turnbull government scrapped the plan citing consumer protection and community safety concerns. The abandonment of this plan was as a direct result of the influence of insider automotive industry groups and demonstrates further continued protectionist attitudes by the government towards the car industry. However the issue is not yet over as groups continue to lobby the government in relation to this issue. You are required to write a submission to the Australian Federal government arguing for or against the reintroduction of this proposed legislation. Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (https://www.fcai.com.au/search/index/keywords/consumers%2Bto%2Bimport) Australian Automotive Dealers Association: http://aada.asn.au/proposed-import-law-changes-shake-industry/ Australian Automobile Association (http://www.aaa.asn.au/news-and-publications/news/article/?id=changes-to-importation-laws-a-win-for-consumers-and-environment) For background information: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/car-import-reforms-are-good-for-consumers-and-competition ESSAY 40% The Essay is an ALTERNATIVE to the business submission. DO NOT do both. Choose one of the following essay questions. Answers can use examples from any country to illustrate a concept or argument, provided the examples are relevant. 1. US President Donald Trump has vowed ‘to make America great again’. He promises to end the perceived unfairness of economic outcomes, particularly by restoring working class jobs across the US that have shifted to developing countries. Can these types of policies stem the forces of Globalisation and restore national economic autonomy? 2. ‘Modern liberal-democratic governments must act favourably towards business interests’. Evaluate this claim. 3. Donald Trump based his US presidential bid on the claim that he was a businessman who understood the nature of business and how to resolve difficult issues by negotiating successful deals. Would you agree that governments would benefit by having more business-people in power rather than professional politicians? In the structure of the essay, it is very important that you have a clear introduction that sets out what argument you are making and how you intend to make and support it. The body will consist of points in support of your position. The conclusion restates the arguments and offers some observations based on your research. A minimum of 8 references is required, which should include academic sources. All material drawn from these references must be appropriately cited. Use SafeAssign (see Assessment: General Information above) if unsure. ESSAYS AND SUBMISSIONS: PRESENTATION & REQUIREMENTS Written assignments must conform to the standards specified below: * A title page with your name, student number, title of essay/submission and word length must be included.  Completed assignment cover sheet (available on course Learning@Griffith website). * The font size must be read comfortably. * The following examples should be used as a guide: Arial - 10 point and Times Roman - 12 point. * Line spacing is either double or 1. * Both margins (left and right) are at least 3 cm. * Pages are numbered. * References cited in the text conform to the Harvard reference style. If a reference is taken from a particular page, or pages, within the article or book, then the page number(s) must be included. The format should include the author, date of publication, and page number. * When words are taken directly from other sources (books, articles and web sites) and reproduced in an essay/submission quotation marks must be used. * A reference list is attached and the entries are in alphabetical order by author. * The assignment has been proof read. ALWAYS keep a copy of your assignment. A copy of the above requirements and more tips on essay writing can be found in the ‘Assessment’ folder at L@G. There you will also find a sample copy of a previous essay and one of a business submission by former students as well as a document that outlines marking standards for essays and submissions. Please read these documents carefully. Further information about the essay and the submission will be provided in the lectures and in workshops.