Category for newsletter
We are excited to present the latest edition of the SACC newsletter with exciting updates from the Chamber of Commerce and our members.
We thank you for your continued support and participation in the SACC and hope you enjoy reading this edition SWEDELINK!
Read the newsletter with links here or click on image below: https://www.swedishchamber.com.au/?na=view&id=30
As the newly appointed SACC YP Board Member: President, I’m thrilled to announce the new SACC Young Professionals (YP) Board for the upcoming year. We’re excited to continue fostering connections within the Swedish-Australian community, helping young professionals in Sydney and Melbourne build their networks, develop professionally, and feel more at home in our vibrant community.
Meet the SACC YP Board: https://www.swedishchamber.com.au/young-professionals/
Contact: YP@swedishchamber.com.au
Moving to a circular economy is increasingly being recognised as vital to reduce waste, emissions, pollution, and ensure resource efficiency as well as competitiveness. The Australian government is working towards developing ambitious national targets to protect nature, critical next steps to transition Australia to a circular economy, and practical on-ground actions to boost conservation and leave nature better off for the future.
At the last Sustainability Committee quarterly, we were privileged to have Paul Klymenko, the Chief Sustainability Advisor and Executive Director at Planet Ark who sits on the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group (CEMAG). The Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group was established to advise government on the opportunities and challenges to transition to a circular economy by 2030. The group consists of 15 of Australia’s most prominent circular economy experts and will be led by inaugural Chair Professor John Thwaites AM from the Monash Sustainable Development Institute.
CEMAG is currently working on the National Circular Economy Framework which will be finalised in December and strongly welcomes views from the member organization in the Sustainability Committee to inform their understanding of challenges and opportunities. If you would like to share your position on potential ways forward to accelerate to a low-carbon circular economy and net-zero society, please reach out to Isabel Wagner at sacc@swedishchamber.com.au by September 30, 2024.
As the appetite for sustainability has never been greater, ABB has recently released a report titled, Progressing Sustainability in Australian Business, which explores the challenges holding Australian businesses back from achieving their sustainability goals.
Following the successful Circular Economy workshop in Brisbane, planning is currently underway for a Melbourne workshop. More details on this will be shared shortly.
The SACC Sustainability Committee welcomes interest from other SACC member companies to join the Committee.
Contact:
Flavia Vaz, Chair of the SACC Sustainability Committee at Flavia.Vaz@tetrapak.com or Camilla Jennings, General Manager SACC at sacc@swedishchamber.com.au
Following the success of the SACC Sustainability Committee and also based on feedback from the SACC Innovation, Technology and Design Summit that was held at UTS in Sydney in 2022, a new SACC Digital Committee was formed in early 2024. Swedish companies have long been recognised as leaders in the digitalisation of industries. The purpose of the Committee is to promote the digital capabilities of the SACC member companies to industry, government and tertiary education.
As a first step, all SACC company members were invited to join the Committee, with the first meeting of the 9 founding companies taking place in February. The founding member companies include ABB, Axelent, Berkely Communications, Consat Telematics, Electrolux, Elekta, Kinghill, IKEA and Hexagon.
The first task of the founding member companies was to define the focus of the Committee. Povel Torudd, Managing Director of leading communications firm Berkeley Communications, sought input from the company representatives to formulate a draft of a focus, mission, audience and articulate why the voice of the member companies matters. To further sharpen the industry focus of the Committee, a survey of the 9 founding companies was conducted. As the founding companies have the ability to address the digital needs of a very broad range of industries, it was therefore important to home in on particular industries. The key findings, among others, included:
The identified industry segments will now form the focus of various initiatives to be planned and implemented by the Committee. The initiatives might take the form of social media marketing campaigns, webinars or in-person events.
The Committee was officially launched at a SACC event titled ‘AI Key Trends and How to Stay Competitive’ that was hosted at the Sydney office of Hexagon on 1 May. Mattias Tidebrink SVP APAC Hexagon Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial, provided an overview of Hexagon, including digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. Dr Sandra Peter, Director of Sydney Executive Plus and Associate Professor at the University of Sydney spoke about how AI has moved beyond the hype. The Committee looks forward to showcasing the digital capabilities of the member companies at events in the future.
The SACC Digitalisation Committee welcomes interest from other SACC member companies to join the Committee. Please contact John Rieusset, Chair of the SACC Digitalisation Committee for further information via melbourne@swedishchamber.com.au
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and CJD Equipment have forged a remarkable 32-year partnership that has significantly shaped the Australian construction equipment landscape. This long-standing collaboration has been instrumental in bringing innovative and sustainable solutions to the Australian market.
A Legacy of Trust and Innovation
The partnership between CJD Equipment and Volvo CE began in 1992 when CJD was awarded the Volvo earthmoving franchise for Western Australia. This initial venture marked the beginning of a period of expansion for CJD Equipment. In 2001, the company’s commitment and hard work were recognized when it became the National Volvo Distributor.
Milestones and Growth
Over the past three decades, the partnership has gone from strength to strength:
Trends Towards Electrification in the Construction Industry
The construction industry is experiencing a significant shift towards sustainability, with electric machinery emerging as a key player in this transformation.
Stricter emissions regulations and high fuel costs are driving the demand for electric construction equipment. This trend is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing more stringent emission standards for non-road diesel engines used in construction.
Additionally, many governments, down to the local level, are introducing low-noise requirements, especially in residential areas.
The high cost of diesel fuel is a significant factor driving the trend toward electric solutions. As fuel prices continue to rise, OEMs are looking for ways to reduce costs and stay competitive. Electric construction equipment offers a more efficient and cost-effective solution, consuming less energy and having lower operating costs.
While environmental regulations and requirements are more prevalent in Europe, they are gaining traction in Australia. Significant businesses, mining companies, and local governments increasingly embrace sustainable objectives. However, the absence of clear federal regulations on emission standards and incentives to promote the uptake of electric construction equipment in Australia means that the transformation must currently come from the industry itself [3].
Despite this, the Australian construction industry is making strides towards sustainability by leveraging advanced technologies, new building materials, and a commitment to embracing electric powered equipment. The adoption of compact excavators, and compact loaders is gaining momentum in the country, reflecting the industry’s proactive approach to environmental responsibility [3].
The Whiteman Park Tramway Extension Project represents a significant milestone in Western Australia’s commitment to preserving rail history while enhancing tourism infrastructure. This initiative aims to extend the heritage tramline, providing a unique and convenient access point for visitors to Whiteman Park’s numerous attractions.
Project Overview
The project involves the construction of a new tram platform just south of the METRONET Whiteman Park Station and extending the line eastward from the existing heritage line within the park [19]. This extension will add 1.3 kilometres of new tram line, utilising recycled materials for approximately 85% of the project.
The tramway extension offers local and international tourists a distinctive way to access Whiteman Park’s attractions. By connecting directly to the new Whiteman Park Train Station, the project aims to enhance the overall visitor experience and make the park more accessible. This integration of heritage and modern transport systems showcases a forward-thinking approach to urban planning and tourism development.
The project has garnered support from numerous industry partners, including Acciona Construction, Allworks WA, Alstom, Arc Infrastructure, BMD Constructions, Georgiou Group, Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction, North Metropolitan TAFE, and WA Limestone Contracting. These partners have contributed through funding, material donations, and labour, demonstrating a collaborative effort towards sustainable development.
Electric Loader’s Impact
Allworks has made a groundbreaking purchase, becoming the first company in Australia to acquire Volvo’s electric construction machine, the L25 Electric Wheel Loader. This innovative equipment will be deployed at the Whiteman Park section of the Metronet tram extension project, where its quiet, emission-free operation is perfectly suited for the park’s sensitive environment, ensuring minimal disruption to both tourists and wildlife. The loader’s electric powertrain also eliminates idle time between material handling tasks, boosting operational efficiency. Additionally, the maintenance-free battery system reduces downtime, offering a significant advantage over traditional diesel machinery.
Projects like the Whiteman Park Tramway Extension serve as important case studies as the construction industry continues to evolve towards more sustainable practices. They demonstrate how heritage preservation can be combined with modern, environmentally conscious construction techniques, setting a precedent for future developments in the sector.
The adoption of electric construction equipment offers numerous economic advantages, making it an increasingly attractive option for industry businesses. These benefits extend beyond environmental considerations, providing tangible financial incentives for companies to switch.
Lower Operational Costs
One of the primary economic benefits of electric machinery is the significant reduction in operational costs. This cost-saving is primarily due to eliminating diesel fuel bills, which can be substantial for construction companies. The substantial difference in energy costs can lead to significant savings over time.
Moreover, electric machines have lower maintenance requirements, further reducing operational costs. With fewer components needing regular maintenance, these machines typically have longer service intervals. This translates to:
The absence of idling in electric machines also contributes to cost savings. Unlike diesel engines that require idle periods to warm up and maintain performance, electric machines provide instant power when needed and shut off quickly when not in use. This feature can result in significant energy savings, especially considering that on many job sites, machines may idle for 25% to 50% of their operational time.
Expanded Working Hours
Due to its unique operational characteristics, electric construction equipment opens new possibilities for extended work hours. The near-silent operation of these machines allows for work during night hours or in noise-sensitive areas without causing disturbances. This capability enables operators to work with continuous productivity on job sites without impacting nearby residents or businesses.
Furthermore, electric machines’ zero-emission nature permits their use in environments where diesel equipment is prohibited or restricted. This includes indoor spaces, underground locations, and densely populated areas. The ability to work in these environments not only enhances the work experience for operators but also expands the potential for project scheduling and completion.
New Business Opportunities
Adopting electric construction equipment has resulted in innovative business opportunities for companies willing to invest in this technology. Electric machines’ unique capabilities allow businesses to access new markets and take on projects that were previously challenging or impossible with traditional diesel equipment.
For instance, the zero-emission and low-noise characteristics of electric machines make them ideal for:
These capabilities open opportunities in various sectors, where companies that invest in electric equipment can position themselves as environmentally responsible contractors, potentially gaining a competitive edge in markets where sustainability is a priority.
Looking to the Future
As the partnership enters its fourth decade, both CJD Equipment and Volvo CE remain committed to innovation and sustainability. They continue to work together to meet the evolving needs of the Australian construction industry, with a strong focus on electromobility and reducing environmental impact.
The 32-year partnership between CJD Equipment and Volvo CE stands as a testament to the power of long-term collaboration in driving industry progress. As they continue to innovate and adapt to changing market needs, this partnership is well-positioned to shape the future of construction equipment in Australia for years to come.
Contact your local CJD branch to learn more about how electric machinery can transform your construction projects.
Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, unveiled their new flagship space in Artarmon last Wednesday evening. Set on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, the space is Polestar’s largest in Australia and stands as a hub for customers to explore and experience Polestar’s latest innovations in luxury electric motoring.
The opening of the Artarmon space comes at a significant time for the company, as Polestar’s lineup of cars grows from a single model to three. Polestar 3, the performance SUV, has recently arrived and begun test drives locally, and Polestar 4, the SUV coupé, will be on Australian roads by the end of the year. They both join the existing Polestar 2 electric fastback, with all three currently on display at Artarmon.
Polestar Artarmon has been carefully crafted to embody the brand’s minimalist design philosophy, offering an experience that feels more like an art gallery. It allows for a calm and engaging environment where visitors can be curious, learn more about Polestar’s vehicles, interact with knowledgeable specialists, and test drive Polestar 2, Polestar 3, and later this year, Polestar 4.
As Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 arrive in Australia, Polestar’s presence in Artarmon makes a bold statement as the company positions itself as an industry leader in the highly popular electric SUV segment. With a commitment to luxurious design, sustainable motoring and innovative performance, this expansion is a significant step forward in Polestar’s mission to drive the global shift toward cleaner, more sustainable transportation.
The space is located at 291 Pacific Highway, Artarmon with onsite parking available.
Find out more at: https://www.polestar.com/au/spaces/sydney-artarmon/
AUTOMOTIVE – Polestar Artarmon official opening11/09/2024
Photography: Andrea Francolini/Polestar
OLX Studios is a marketing consultancy founded by Olivia Alexandersson.Our core services focus on CRM and Email Marketing, where we assist clients in boosting revenue, engagement, and customer experience through strategic email marketing. Currently, OLX Studios consists of a small but dedicated team of two, working with clients across various B2C industries such as fashion retail, beauty, and homeware, as well as B2B sectors like tech and logistics.
Olivia founded OLX Studios in May 2023. After several years working in agency and eCommerce settings, she decided to take the leap and establish her own consultancy. With a well rounded skill set in digital design, strategy, data analysis, and technical implementation, Olivia is able to offer end-to-end services for businesses seeking to elevate their marketing efforts through automation and email campaigns.
After six months of operating, Olivia hired her first employee to help deliver successful marketing strategies for clients. OLX Studios works closely with a select group of clients, integrating with their internal teams to maximise outcomes. The vision is to remain a boutique consultancy, working with only a handful of clients to ensure a personalised and highly effective approach.
Australia presents great opportunities in the eCommerce sector, which has allowed us to collaborate with a variety of exciting businesses. While we are based in Melbourne, Australia, we work with clients globally and do not limit our focus to the Australian market alone.
CONTACT
Olivia Alexandersson
Founder & Lead Consultant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-alexandersson-795359ab/
AstraZeneca advocates for earlier, faster and fairer access to medicines for Australian cancer patients
Growing demand to improve access to potentially lifesaving cancer treatments in Australia, and a rapid increase in innovative medicine development, is fuelling government and community interest in the future of accessible treatments for Australian cancer patients and their families.
However, it is not commonly known that Australian cancer patients wait, on average, 442 days between a potentially life-changing cancer medicine receiving approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and that medicine being reimbursed through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
This length of time is significantly longer than the average time for the same process across all 20 OECD countries, which is 384 days. Some of the fastest OECD countries to ensure medicines are available to patients via government reimbursement include Japan (102 days), Germany (136 days), Great Britain (156 days) and Sweden, which ranks 8 out of 20 at 325 days.
Australia’s average waiting period is almost a year longer than these comparable OECD countries. For example, five AstraZeneca cancer medicines were PBS listed over a three-month period in 2023. The time from TGA registration to PBS reimbursement ranged from 240 days to as long as 1,065 days.
Rapid access to innovative treatments is critical for Australian cancer patients, who may otherwise have limited treatment options. Some patients will pass away while they are waiting for treatments to be funded through the PBS. Others crowdfund to meet private treatment costs. Some must seek treatment overseas.
To address the significant time delay that patients face in Australia, this year AstraZeneca has been advocating for the government to introduce bridging funding for medicines. Bridging funding could provide interim government funding to ‘bridge’ the gap between TGA registration and PBS reimbursement for medicines where there is a high unmet need and where patients cannot afford the time for the medicine to be listed on the PBS.
This would ensure patients could get faster access to treatment options, expected to provide improvement to their health outcomes over existing therapies, some of which have already been used for decades. This fund would help patients gain earlier access to cancer medicines that may save or significantly extend their life.
Screenshot
In March 2024, AstraZeneca launched a Green Paper at a parliamentary roundtable at Parliament House in Canberra which addressed the evidence to support the need for bridging funding in Australia for cancer patients.
At this roundtable, Associate Professor Christopher Steer, President of the Private Cancer Physicians of Australia, delivered a powerful statement about the need for bridging funding for Australian cancer patients: “Clinicians would like the ability to give new medicines to patients, the moment the science tells us it’s the right thing to do.”
Broad support for faster access to medicines has continued to gain significant momentum among health, policy and patient experts. Since the launch of this Green Paper, more than 40 experts from oncology, policy, health and industry have met across three policy roundtables to discuss the need for bridging funding. Twenty of these experts are now volunteering in a policy working group to continue advocating for bridging funding for medicines, while simultaneously developing guidelines for bridging funding that could be accepted by government as a consideration for their next Federal Budget.
For more information or to learn more about the ongoing working party, please contact Penny George, Director Corporate Affairs, AstraZeneca on penny.george@astrazeneca.com
AstraZeneca Pty. Ltd. ABN 54 009 682 311. 66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. www.astrazeneca.com.au.
For Medical Information enquiries: Telephone 1800 805 342 or via https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com
Approximately 106 school associations around the world offer Supplementary Swedish Education, all of whom are funded by the Swedish National Agency of Education (Skolverket) and local benefactors. Of these associations, about 16 are located in the APAC region, and they will now gather for a School Conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2025. The Swedish School in Kuala Lumpur will host the conference with support from the Swedish School in Sydney.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Anna Tebelius Bodin, will present under the title “The Learning Brain.” What are the conditions for learning, understanding, and remembering? How does language learning differ from other types of learning? She will examine the specific aspects of teaching that can make a difference. She will address questions about what happens to motivation and memory under stress or distractions but she will also explore potential solutions for the same problems. The focus will be on the brain, dopamine, relationships, communication, and why repetition is not always the key to mastering knowledge. Anna Tebelius Bodin – a speaker, educator and author, trained at Harvard University – will challenge established concepts about learning during the conference in Kuala Lumpur 2025.
The 2023 conference, held in Sydney, Australia, had a holistic Aboriginal framework, incorporating educational strategies and practical tips for teaching. The event was graced by Australia’s maybe leading linguist, Joseph Lo Bianco, Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne, who has worked with UNICEF and the EU researching community language schools around the world. Joseph discussed what is required to maintain a language abroad, noting that while educational institutions play a key role, other factors are of equal importance. He provided concrete examples from his global research on what is required to keep one’s native tongue abroad.
From an international perspective, attention was directed toward the grammatical and lexicographical work of the Swedish Academy. Products and projects for various levels and user groups were presented by Bo Ralph, member of the Swedish Academy and holder of Chair 2 in the Swedish Academy, which could be directly used in the classroom.
The Swedish language is evolving and changing. This transformation is reflected not only in vocabulary but also in attitudes and values. Professor Emerita of Nordic Languages, Anna Hannesdóttir, presented these changes.
From theory, global research and the development of the Swedish language, concrete tips were provided by Dr Janica Nordström on how to engage students in the classroom. Janica, who has previously worked as a HSC teacher for the Swedish School in Sydney, is well-acquainted with the realities of the Supplementary Education classroom.
In essence, these conferences present engaging and invaluable programs for educators, board members, and stakeholders involved in Supplementary Education worldwide. The full agenda of the School Conference 2025 remains confidential, but schools across Asia are eagerly mobilizing in anticipation of the imminent release of the official program.
CONTACT
principal@swedishschoolinsydney.org.au
www.swedishschoolinsydney.org.au
On August 31, the High School Certificate (HSC) group of students 24/25 at the Swedish School in Sydney hosted representatives from the embassy and 12 delegates from the Swedish Parliament’s Committee on Education.
Typically, the committee delegates visit nearby regions in Europe to study their education systems, but this time they chose to visit Sydney. The Committee on Education was welcomed by Head Teacher Pernilla Thakur Lundqvist, Swedish Continuers teacher Cecilia Smith, former HSC student Tobias Thakur, and the current HSC group 24/25.
Head Teacher Pernilla Thakur Lundqvist gave a brief overview of supplementary education worldwide. In total, there are 106 associations globally offering supplementary Swedish education, with 16 located in Oceania (according to statistics from the Swedish National Agency for Education, 2023). The Swedish School in Sydney has approximately 161 students, making it the largest school association in Oceania. In 2024, 16% of the school’s 161 students are studying Swedish as an HSC subject (Swedish Continuers) divided into two groups: one sitting for oral exams on the same date and one that the Committee on Education would meet. Pernilla further explained that students’ proficiency in Swedish varies depending on how many languages are spoken at home, whether they have two Swedish-speaking parents and the student’s motivation.
Cecilia shared her experiences teaching in both the Swedish and Australian education systems, providing information about the structure of the HSC Swedish Continuers course, its content, and the prerequisites in Swedish required to take the course. The curriculum for Swedish Continuers has recently been updated, and the Swedish and Australian syllabi for English/Swedish are now more closely aligned. In contrast to the Swedish system, where final grades in Year 12 are assessed by the student’s teachers, final grades here in Australia are centrally assessed.
Tobias answered various questions about the Swedish education system compared to the Australian one from a student’s perspective. Having attended the Natural Sciences program at Leksand Gymnasium for three months, Tobias noted significant similarities in the natural sciences subjects but not in the humanities. He also explained how the ATAR grading system works and how it is used for university admissions. The HSC group 24/25 shared their reasons for choosing to study Swedish as an HSC subject. The Swedish School then treated everyone to focaccia and cinnamon buns from Funkis Köket.
Later in the week, the Committee on Education also visited Alexandria Park Community School, where one of the Swedish School’s teachers, Theresa Virmo, works. During the visit, she had the opportunity to speak with some of the delegates, answer a few questions, and provide insights into APCS and the education system in New South Wales (NSW) more generally.
CONTACT
principal@swedishschoolinsydney.org.au
www.swedishschoolinsydney.org.au
