Telstra announces new Group Executive for Consumer & Small Business
Telstra today announced Brad Whitcomb had been appointed as the new Group Executive for Consumer and Small Business (C&SB). Incoming Telstra Chief Executive Officer, Vicki Brady, said Brad would join Telstra with extensive global experience in telecommunications customer roles. "I am delighted to welcome Brad to the team to replace Michael Ackland, who has been appointed our Chief Financial Officer," said Ms Brady. "Brad has had a remarkable career with a long list of customer-focussed roles across the US, Japan and Australia. In his current role as Chief Customer Officer for NBN Co, he is accountable for delivering more than $5 billion in annual wholesale broadband services revenue across a range of access technologies, giving him an intrinsic understanding of the Australian telco market."
Western Sydney Startup Hub Takes Shape
Jump on board as Spacecubed launches the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs at the new Western Sydney Startup Hub (WSSH).
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said Spacecubed will operate the 1,500 square metres of affordable co-working space, as part of the revitalised Parramatta North Heritage Precinct, due to its reputation for empowering positive change in the community.
New Agency to Deliver Support Before, During and After Disasters
Australia's preparedness, response and recovery from natural disasters will be strengthened following the establishment of the new National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on 1 September. NEMA brings together the capabilities of Emergency Management Australia and the National Recovery and Resilience Agency into a single agency for the first time. This change will deliver a more coordinated approach from the Australian Government, around response to emergencies and preparing for future hazards. Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the new NEMA would lead Australia's disaster and emergency management efforts, in partnership with states, territories and the Australian community.
Tax Practitioner Board Protecting the Public Interest
Clients of tax practitioners need to be advised when their agent is subject to sanctions and deregistration. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has supported the Tax Practitioner Board's (TPB) role in protecting the public, especially clients of tax practitioners who are found to lack fitness and propriety. The TPB terminated the tax agent registration of Terry Borella, prohibiting Mr Borella from reapplying for registration for 2 years. Over several years Mr Borella showed repeated disregard and an unwillingness to comply with personal tax obligations and defaulted on payment arrangements with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Immigration, Training, Industrial Relations Reform Needed to Strengthen Trades Skills
Current industrial relations, training and immigration policy arrangements need reform to meet workforce needs in vocational trades, according to new research from the University of Sydney Business School. Released on the eve of the September 2022 Australian Jobs and Skills Summit, the report Bargaining for skills is based on a three-year Australian Research Council-funded project including an analysis of academic studies, statistical data and interviews with 60 industry stakeholders. The report's findings are developed from a detailed analysis of two industries reliant on vocational trades skills: hospitality and construction.
Small Business Connect - August 2022 Edition
Updates from Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training.
National Cabinet met in Sydney today to discuss COVID-19 settings and key joint-actions for the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit. Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd provided an update on the pandemic and outlined strategies for combating potential COVID-19 waves. First Ministers reinforced their commitment to continued collaboration between commonwealth, state and territory governments in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Cabinet agreed to reduce the isolation periods for COVID-19 positive cases from seven to five following a positive test, with the following caveats: This would apply to people with no symptoms at five days. Seven days isolation remains for workers in high risk setting including aged care, disability care, those providing care in the home. National Cabinet also agreed to remove the mandatory wearing of masks on domestic flights. This change will also come into effect from Friday 9 September.
Reduction of COVID Isolation Period Welcomed by Retailers
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed today's announcement from National Cabinet that the Covid isolation period will be reduced from seven to five days. "Shorter isolation periods will help improve the labour shortages in retail that are crippling our businesses. We've gotten over the winter Covid peak, so this is an appropriate time to relax the settings around isolations, which brings us in line with other global economies," ARA CEO Paul Zahra said. "Covid and the flu are significant factors in the current staffing challenge. If people are healthy, we should allow them to get back to work. We thank the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers for taking this common sense approach, which is an important step forward in our transition towards living with Covid."
Changes to Isolation Rules to Further Alleviate Acute Staff Shortages
Changes to isolation requirements announced at National Cabinet today will ease the crippling workforce shortages that are hampering business and risking our post-pandemic recovery. "Reducing isolation rules from seven to five days for those without symptoms will be critical in further alleviating the acute workforce shortages across the economy," ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar said. "With businesses recording worsening staff absences, this change will enable more employees to return to work earlier, ensuring businesses can keep their doors open and keep the economy moving.
Five Pricing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Updates from the Western Australian Small Business Development Corporation
Action on Migration and Training System a Must at Jobs and Skills Summit
Targeted skills and migration reform must be a key outcome from the Jobs and Skills Summit according to the Australian Banking Association (ABA). The most recent data shows there are 480,100 job vacancies while there are currently 473,600 Australians looking for work. ABA Chief Executive Anna Bligh said the ABA supports an increased migration intake to fill widespread labour shortages. Australia needs people at all skill levels - from the most basic to the most advanced. Ms Bligh said, "Australia's banks know their small and medium business customers are being held back by labour shortages. Retailers need people to stack shelves, hospitality needs bartenders and chefs, farmers need pickers to harvest crops. It's a stark reality that labour shortages are crippling businesses and preventing growth".
