ALP’s return to ‘olden days’ of industrial relations

Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn says the proposed code would “decisively tilt the balance toward militancy and away from productivity” The Australian,  April 2, 2021 Employers have attacked Labor’s promise to scrap the construction industry regulator and federal building code, warning the changes would undermine the economic recovery and leave companies “at the mercy of militant unlawful unions”. …

Support for small businesses under pressure: Bruce Billson

Support for small businesses under pressure:Bruce Billson ASBFEO Newsletter, 31.3.21 Wow – what a month. Small business owners were forced to dig deep in March. Drawing upon the courage and resilience they have demonstrated in the past year, small businesses were once again facing incredible challenges. Many were impacted by severe flooding in NSW and some had to shut their …

ALP conference: Half-year parental leave at ‘full pay’

Opposition women’s spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek. Picture: Gaye GerardThe Australian, March 30, 2021 Opposition women’s spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek has championed Labor’s plan to expand Australia’s paid parental leave scheme to six months at full pay, which the party promises will be fully costed by the next federal election. Under existing rules, the primary carer of a newborn can receive up to …

Opposition women’s spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek. Picture: Gaye GerardThe Australian, March 30, 2021 Opposition women’s spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek has championed Labor’s plan to expand Australia’s paid parental leave scheme to six months at full pay, which the party promises will be fully costed by the next federal election. Under existing rules, the primary carer of a newborn can receive up to …

Seven things you need to know about new Small Business Minister Stuart Robert

March 30, 2021 Minister Stuart Robert. Source: AAP/Mick Tsikas. Liberal minister Stuart Robert is the new Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family business following a Cabinet reshuffle announced yesterday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Robert would take over Michaelia Cash’s small business portfolio, after serving as the minister for government services for nearly two years. With Morrison …

JobKeeper fraud: ATO investigates false claims for JobKeeper, focusing on misleading turnover declarations and incorrect redundancy payments

SmartCompany, March 29, 2021 The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a final warning to businesses engaging in “concerning and fraudulent behaviour” when making JobKeeper claims. The ATO said in a written statement that it would monitor the integrity of the JobKeeper scheme in its final weeks, with a particular focus on whether businesses claiming payments for outgoing employees also …

ACCC hails ‘unconscionable conduct’ court win

ACCC chair Rod Sims says the court ruling is an ‘extremely important decision’ for consumers and businesses. Picture: Sean Davey.The Australian, March 22, 202 The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has won a landmark Federal Court ruling on the definition of unconscionable conduct, noting it is the conduct which is the key – not the victim. The Full Federal Court …

Bruce Billson’s plan to ‘energise enterprise’ as Small Business Ombudsman

Source: AAP/Tracey Nearmy SmartCompany, March 11, 2021 Source: AAP/Tracey Nearmy Bruce Billson says the passion for “energising enterprise” still runs through his veins and he has plans to elevate the profile of small businesses across the entire Commonwealth, starting right now. As of today, Billson takes up the role of Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, a position he …

Bruce Billson to replace Kate Carnell as Small Business Ombudsman

SmartCompany, February 23, 2021 Source: AAP/Tracey Nearmy Former small business minister Bruce Billson will reportedly replace Kate Carnell as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman next month. According to the Australian Financial Review, the former Liberal minister and Victorian MP will be appointed to the role by cabinet in coming weeks. If appointed, Billson will become the second …

Small businesses caught in the crossfire as Facebook shows its true colours

SmartCompany, February 19, 2021 Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. An independent bookshop in Sydney. A small brewery on the Gold Coast. A private group focused on shopping small and supporting parents. A prominent small business industry association. These are just a few of the countless Australian businesses and organisations that yesterday woke up to find their entire Facebook presence had vanished. …