Small Business Connect October 2022 - Indigenous Business Month Edition
In this article:
- First Nations Training Strategy - Paving the Way
- What does Indigenous Business Month mean to you?
- Supporting Indigenous business in workforce planning
- Indigenous business procurement - If not, why not?
- Good news stories
- Key dates and resources
Australian banks ready to help flood impacted communities
The Australian Banking Association today said banks stand ready to support Australian communities hit by rain and devastating floods. "We know more rain is on the way and this event has already affected many tens of thousands of Australians. It is a terribly difficult time right across Australia's east coast but particularly for people in Victoria, Tasmania and western NSW," Chief Executive Officer, Anna Bligh, said today. "The message from banks is clear: don't tough it out on your own, call your bank as soon as you are able to, they are ready to help. Banks have very experienced hardship teams. They've worked with families who have experienced floods before and have a range of very practical measures to support people to get through these experiences," Ms Bligh said.
Speech to the University of Sydney
Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Andrew Leigh, delivers a speech entitled 'A zippier economy: lessons from the 1992 Hilmer Competition Reforms'. He discusses Hilmer Review and National Competition Policy reforms, Productivity Commission analysis of impact on the economy, and new competition reforms.
Here to help Tasmanian flood-affected businesses
Minister for Small Business, Madeleine Ogilvie, says the Tasmanian Government is here to help local businesses affected by the flooding across the North and North West of the State. Importantly, there is business support available now, as businesses impacted by the floods can now apply to receive financial and business advice through round two of the Small Business Advice and Financial Guidance program. The program provides grants of between $750 and $1,500 to eligible small businesses. Grant funds can be used to obtain services such as financial and business advice, support, counselling and from a suitably qualified specialist or consultant, include professional business advice and guidance related to the floods.
Real solutions for an additional 28,000 Victorian small and family businesses
Helping small and family businesses to get ahead is a very important part of our Long-Term Economic Plan. Another important element is cutting taxes. Accordingly, a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will improve Victoria's payroll tax system to give an additional 28,000 small and family businesses a significant tax reduction. Victoria's 640,000 small businesses are the backbone of our economy. It's not easy running a small business. They were hit the hardest by Daniel Andrews' world-record lockdowns, and they are now being hit with rising inflation, labour and skills shortages, and spiralling energy costs. Under our changes, around an additional 13,300 small businesses will pay no payroll tax whatsoever, while another 14,700 small businesses with a payroll of between $1.6 million and $2 million will receive a meaningful reduction in their annual payroll tax bill of up to $43,650.
Insurance Council declares Significant Event for three States impacted by floods
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a Significant Event for regions of Victoria, New South Wales and Northern Tasmania impacted by flooding. The Insurance Council's processes have been activated to assess and monitor the insurance claims impact of this unfolding flood event. Under a significant event declaration: The ICA commences its claims data collection, analysis, and reporting processes in consultation with members. ICA representatives will continue to work with government and agencies to understand impacts on the community and ensure affected residents receive assistance. The ICA's disaster hotline is activated 1800 734 621; offering assistance to policyholders if they are uncertain of their insurance details.
Retailers welcome Respect@Work legislation, call for small business support to implement
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has signalled strong support for the Federal Respect@Work legislative package to eliminate workplace harassment, but called for greater support to implement the changes, particularly for small businesses. ARA CEO Paul Zahra said gender equality, sexual discrimination and gender-based discrimination are critically important issues for retail, as the largest private sector employer with one of the most diverse workforces in Australia. "We welcome the Albanese government's legislative response to the 2020 Respect@Work Report, which provides the framework for transparency around the progress Australian workplaces are making in eliminating sexual harassment. With women making up two-thirds of the retail workforce, and one of the most affected workplace cohorts, this is an incredibly important issue for our sector," Mr Zahra said.
Tipping the scales in favour of fairness
A compliance blitz on fruit and vegetable retailers this week will help ensure Australian consumers are getting exactly what they pay for at the checkout. Trade Measurement Inspectors from the National Measurement Institute (NMI) will be out in force across the country to make sure systems, such as scales used to weigh produce, are reliable and accurate. The audit is part of NMI's annual compliance activities, which are designed to help ensure Australian consumers are not being overcharged for their purchases at the counter and that small businesses also get what they pay for in their supply chains. Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said protecting consumers at the checkout was particularly important given the cost-of-living pressures being felt across the community.
Small business ombudsman urges leniency on respect law
The Albanese government is being warned against punishing small businesses too harshly for failing to comply with a proposed law that puts the onus on employers to eliminate sexual discrimination and harassment in the workplace "as far as possible". The new obligation is a key measure of the government's Respect At Work Bill, which would implement seven of the outstanding recommendations in Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins' landmark report of the same name.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman said the positive duty "may add to the complexity and regulatory burden" that already existed and cautioned that most small businesses did not have the resources to manage the change.
Call for crackdown on unfair contracts
NSW Farmers has called on the Federal Government to deliver on a key election promise to protect small businesses from larger partners who force them to accept unfair terms.
An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission probe identified potential unfair contract terms and a power imbalance between farmers and big food businesses, validating concerns about agriculture supply chains
