The Australian Bureau of Statistics has just released its figures for short-term visitors to Australia in March, showing a 0.9 percent increase in tourism on the previous month. This is the third consecutive rise in arrivals, with January and February both recording a one percent rise, and is 0.7 percent up on last year’s visitor […]
The Australian economy will shrink this year, according to the latest Reserve Bank revision, released today. Gross domestic product will shrink by 1.25 percent by the end of the June quarter, and contract a further one percent by the end of the December quarter. Previous forecasts predicted growth at 0.25 percent for June and 0.5 […]
Developed countries should increase their aid budgets during this global economic downturn to prevent economic asylum seekers from attempting to enter more stable economies, says Deakin University research expert Jonathan Ritchie. “The collapsing world economy, with its dire consequences especially for developing countries, will see more and more people taking a chance on a better […]
Tourism Queensland has named British candidate Ben Southhall the new caretaker of the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Southall fended off 15 other contenders at the final stage and 34,000 applicants worldwide. The former charity worker will receive $150,000 to take care of the islands over six-month contract. His duties include ‘feeding the fish’, […]
The Federal Budget should address the export sector and increase funding for the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme if Australia is to remain globally competitive, says Ian Murray, executive director of the Australian Institute of Export. “Every dollar spent on EMDG generates up to $27 of exports. Recipients of the scheme in 2006/07 did […]
If you work on a project basis, for example as a consultant or as a short term contractor, avoid the pitfalls of having to manage ‘drought and flood’ finances by establishing a deposit policy for work in progress. You should be entitled to ask for a percentage of the project’s value upfront and may be […]
For a lot of new businesses it is possible that because you signed up for various ongoing services – like insurance policies or web hosting packages – at around the same time, all your annual payments tend to be due at the same time. For better cash flow, ask regular creditors whether you can rearrange […]
When you’re busy, it’s easy to attend to the most demanding clients and forget others. Remember, though, that it is not always the loudmouth who should get your attention. Sometimes your best clients are the ones who, when they see that you deliver on the job you promised, will become repeat clients so it is […]
Tourism Queensland will announce the new caretaker for Hamilton Island on Wednesday, after interviews and competency tasks for the 16 candidates have been completed. The job advertisement has been a boon for Hamilton Island tourism with media from around the world following the candidates as they complete tasks, such as a swimming test. Tourism Queensland […]
Austrade chief economist Tim Harcourt believes Australia and New Zealand may become one market in the near future, if the two federal governments can agree on a single legal and tax system. “Harmonisation of the legal and tax systems will help reduce costs and improve trade inefficiencies,” he said. “Closer Economic Relations (CER) between Australia […]
