News
The Federal Government has announced they will extend the $16.8 billion JobSeeker supplement payment, at a reduced rate, until the end of March 2021. JobSeeker will reduce from $815 a fortnight to $715 a fortnight from December. The Government added a coronavirus supplement onto the JobSeeker payment at the start of the COVID-19 crisis. That […]
Australian sustainable packaging startup Planet Protector Packaging has been one victim of the Chinese-Australian trade tensions, after their deal to provide the packaging of rock lobster exports was put on hold. Planet Protector Packaging (PPP) was established in 2016 in response to the global plastic waste crisis. Their product aims to eliminate polystyrene from supply […]
Steve and Nick Tidball don’t believe in following the rules. The British twin brothers ignored traditional business thinking when they co-founded Vollebak in 2016, by using science and technology to create clothing for the future. Steve and Nick were two of the biggest names in advertising and knew little about running a clothing line when […]
Tensions between China and Australia are steadily increasing as the Chinese government continue to stop Australian imports. This is said to be due to Prime Minister Scott Morrison calling for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. China has threatened to slap major tariffs on many Australian industries, possible resulting in a $6 billion blow […]
A $32 billion investment in renewable energy will be unlocked under the NSW Government’s new plan to cut down on the state’s emissions, reduce reliance on coal and create new jobs. The government said the plan would “cut red tape” to speed up approvals for transmission infrastructure in renewable energy zones in the Central west and New […]
The Tech 23 Deeptech Festival is hosting the AI Conclave on the 11 to 12 November, providing an opportunity for businesses to hear expert advice on the latest AI and machine learning trends. The AI Conclave is a free online event that helps businesses build customer-centric, scalable solutions in the cloud with Amazon’s machine learning […]
The RBA’s November Statement on Monetary Policy revealed that Australia has fared better than expected but the recovery is “expected to be bumpy and uneven” and “highly sensitive to further virus outbreaks.” Although spending is still below levels seen prior to the pandemic, the RBA predicts that Victoria’s emergence from lockdown and policy measures such […]
A record number of Australian companies are participating in the third China International Import Expo (CIIE), open from 5 to 10 November 2020. The annual event is hosted by China in Shanghai and is the world’s first import-themed trade fair. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and trade tensions between Australia and China, more than […]
As consumers demand more sustainable and ethical business operations, companies can now join forces and fight climate change collaboratively through Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition. The Priceless Planet Coalition (PPC) unites merchants, banks, cities and consumers to plant 100 million trees by 2025. It is a platform where businesses can crystallise their sustainability goals and help […]
Australian fintech Verteva today announced it has rebranded to Nano and written its very first home loan via mobile, as it prepares to disrupt the mortgage industry. The company, run by two former Westpac execs, has also begun official beta testing and welcomed family and friends to experience its home loan product and platform ahead […]
Australia’s peak small business group has said the Government’s JobMaker hiring scheme is “lacking in detail” and prone to fraudulence. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled the JobMaker hiring credit in last month’s budget to incentivise businesses to hire young job seekers over the next 12 months. It is expected to create around 450,000 positions for young Australians […]
The CSIRO has released a new report The Value of Science and Technology that lists the five main barriers to innovation in Australia and the respective solutions that businesses can adopt to overcome these challenges. The main barriers identified by the report are: Declining innovation investment: investment into R&D innovation has been declining and is […]
The role of corporates and financial institutions will be instrumental in planning for and supporting economies and communities as Australia transitions from coal-fired electricity to a low carbon world, according to a new report. The report, Just Transition: Implications for the Corporate Sector and Financial Institutions in Australia, prepared by the Institute for Sustainable Futures […]
Parental Leave policy is something all businesses need to consider. While there are legal requirements for organisations to adhere to, there are extra steps that can be taken to separate one business from another and assist those taking care of children. However, these steps may come at a cost to the business. In today’s Let’s […]
Australian fintech Beforepay has today announced the successful completion of its AU$4 million Series A capital raise. The round, which closed in nine days and was oversubscribed, brings the total amount raised this year to over AU$6 million. The AU$4m Series A round was led by venture capital investor, Airtasker Chairman and Vocus Communications founder […]
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today revealed a new wave of measures put in place to help stimulate the country’s economic recovery through increased borrowing. Those measures include lowering the benchmark interest rates from 0.25 per cent to 0.10 per cent, a reduction in the interest rate on Exchange Settlement balances to zero and the […]
New research has shown the coronavirus lockdown has reignited Australia’s love for shopping locally, with 91 per cent claiming they are now spending up to $200 per week on their local high street. Takeaway shops, cafes, restaurants and bakeries are among those who have had the biggest bounce since lockdown, according to research commissioned by […]
In a digital address to the McKell Institute today, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work Clare O’Neil warned of the “tsunami coming for workers in predominantly male industries.” In June, Ms O’Neil outlined how COVID-19 disproportionately affected women because of the havoc it wreaked on female-dominated industries such as hospitality and […]
A 1.75 per cent increase to minimum wages has come into place, as part of the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review announced in June. Usually, minimum wage increases take effect from the beginning of the financial year. However the wage increases for a number of industries have been delayed due to the effects of […]
Tax policy under a Biden presidency may facilitate more US investment into Australia than a Trump presidency, according to the United States Studies Centre. Biden has proposed raising the corporate tax rate from 21 per cent to 28 per cent, raising personal income tax for the top individual earners from 37 per cent to 39.6 […]
