WHS trends survey: Inconsistent WHS laws are making it difficult for Australian business
The results of a survey of work health and safety business trends has been released to coincide with National Safe Work Month. Businesses reported they were seeking more support to meet increasing compliance requirements, with a significant number of new regulations and amendments introduced at national and state levels. "More than 52 per cent of businesses that responded to our survey operate in more than one jurisdiction, highlighting the need for harmonised work health and safety rules nationally," ACCI Director WHS Policy, Jennifer Low said.
Big business says jobs and housing availability significant challenges in regional Australia
Members of the Regional Australia Institute's Regional Australia Council (RAC) met this week for the first time following the launch of the RAI's Regionalisation Ambition 2032 - A Framework to Rebalance the Nation (the Ambition). Council members include Aurizon, Australia Post, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Commonwealth, Domain, Elders, Essential Energy, Expedia Group, KPMG, nab, nbn co., Nutrien Ag Solutions, NRMA, Optus, Transgrid, Telstra and Woolworths.The Ambition was co-developed by Council members to advance solutions to regional Australia's challenges and to capture the opportunities over the next 10 years. This important body of work has sparked a critical new national conversation about Australia's population distribution and the planning needed to support the nation's future.
Committee to examine Australia's tourism and international education sectors
The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Trade Subcommittee (the Committee), has launched an inquiry into Australia's tourism and international education sectors, with a focus on the operation of both sectors in the post COVID-19 world. The Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O'Neill commented, "Both the tourism and international education sectors have contracted substantially since the emergence of COVID-19. The Committee looks forward to understanding how both sectors can be best supported so they can be positioned as key contributors to the post COVID-19 recovery of Australia's economy."
Business Tasmania Update - 20 October
In today's edition:
- Grant Application Fundamentals: online event
- Come and see us at the Safe Bodies, Safe Minds expo
- Rural Business Tasmania flood appeal and Rural Relief Fund
- Emergency assistance available now
Banks support construction transition to a new economy
The Australian Banking Association said the construction and housing industry were well positioned to play a leading role in Australia's long-term economic growth supported by bank lending and government investment initiatives. Speaking at the UDIA construction conference in Brisbane today, ABA Chief Executive Anna Bligh said that while businesses faced global and local economic challenges, construction and housing is supported by banks and government policy to drive investment. Ms Bligh said data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) from July this year indicated around $22b in outstanding loans to the construction industry.
Superannuation warning as 1.5m strong army of sole traders cuts back on contributions
Australia's sole traders have been warned they are mortgaging their futures as they cut back on superannuation contributions in the face of the soaring cost of living. According to the Hnry Sole Trader Pulse, the only nationwide survey of self-employed people in Australia, around a quarter of independent earners (24%) plan to cancel or delay planned super contributions to cope with skyrocketing costs and surging inflation. Women are also more likely than men to cut back on super - 31% versus 20%. The figures are especially stark given that superannuation is not compulsory for sole traders, the 1.5M individuals with an ABN who make up around three quarters of the nation's small businesses. A full 43% said they had never made a superannuation contribution as sole traders.
Research shows growing importance of positive social impact for retailers
Australian consumers expect companies to act in a more socially and environmentally responsible way and many are willing to pay more for products and services that are values aligned, according to new research from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). The in-depth survey measuring how Australian consumers perceive a retailer's corporate purpose, how it impacts behaviours and how perceptions differ across industries and product categories found: A majority (69%) of consumers believe that the purpose of a retail company in general is to respond better to social and environmental issues. Consumers are willing to pay more to buy products/services with retailers whose values align with theirs, with 24% willing to pay more than 5% and 13% willing to pay more than 10%.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke, said the number of Australians in jobs remains at record highs - but they're still not seeing the wage increases they need. New labour force figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today shows unemployment remains steady at 3.5 per cent. Youth unemployment is down to 7.9 per cent from 8.4 per cent with an extra 22,300 young Australians in employment. That's well below the 11.6 per cent it was at in March 2020. And while unemployment remains at an historically low level wages still aren't moving.
The Victorian Government has announced a flood relief package to support Victorian businesses incurring significant direct flood damage during the Victorian flood events that commenced in October 2022. The Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program includes one-off grants of $5000 to support thousands of businesses, with additional support available through a new dedicated Business Relief Service.
ATO fights 3 million hack attacks a month
The Tax Office is battling as many as 3 million attempted cyber hacks every month and has warned accountants and superannuation funds they are ripe targets due to extensive customer data holdings.
State government details flood funding
THE Victorian government has announced a $73.5 million package of support for farmers and small businesses impacted by floods, with applications opening today. The funding, which includes grants to assist in the clean-up of properties, as well as business mentoring, concessional loans and transport subsidies, was announced yesterday.
