News
Research conducted by NAB has found that local customers are driving the growth of small businesses, with 41 percent of Victorian businesses receiving the majority of sales from local customers. The research demonstrates the difference Australians can make to small businesses striving to survive the economic downturn and keeping regional economies afloat, says Kevin Potter, […]
Environment Minister Peter Garrett has unveiled new guidelines for the Federal Government’s $4 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package, which will make it easier for Australians to reduce their carbon footprint, while saving on energy bills. The Australian Government has estimated up to 2.9 million households will be eligible for the ceiling insulation rebate, which will […]
Two major Australia unions believe that the Federal Government’s plan to raise the pension age from 65 to 67 will be very costly for employers and will create a “false economy.” The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union have expressed their concerns over the legislation believing that it […]
Recent results from the quarterly Rural Confidence Survey conducted by Rabobank have revealed improved confidence levels among Australian farmers, the first rise following four successive declines. The Rabobank survey of 1,200 farmers across the country found that one in five expect conditions to improve in the next 12 months, up from just 16 percent last […]
I have to admit I created a Twitter account begrudgingly. I was extremely curious as my colleagues had jumped on the bandwagon months ago and had been telling me stories of strange and wonderful connections that take place on this exotic communication landscape. The reason for my procrastination was that I am time poor and […]
It appears consumers are finally spending their stimulus payments, with news that retail sales grew by 0.3 percent in April, amounting to $19.3 billion. Access Economics has estimated the Government’s handouts contributed $615 million to retail sales in April. Sales of household goods experienced the biggest lift, surging 3.9 percent in April, aided by the […]
Employees working for small businesses are proving to be more loyal than those in large companies, according to a research conducted by the Australian Institute of Management. Australian Institute of Management’s (AIM) National Salary Survey 2009 of 759 businesses, (548 large businesses and 211 small businesses) found that employees working in small businesses are increasingly […]
Australian businesses are cracking down on their employees’ access to social networking sites amid growing concerns that they can hinder productivity.
The ACCC has approved the merger between Vodafone Australia Limited and Hutchison 3G Australia Pty Limited; a 50:50 joint-venture that will be known as Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA). The decision has been welcomed by Nick Read, CEO of Vodafone Asia-Pacific & Middle East Region and proposed Chairman of VHA. “The ACCC’s decision confirms our view […]
I’ve just got back from the opening of Google’s fabulous new Sydney office and it was a wonderful event. What—or I should say who—I’m left most impressed by however is your Governor General, the charming and might I say stylish, Quentin Bryce. She was guest of honour at the Pyrmont offices and spoke with genuine […]
Low-income earners are set to benefit from the Government’s recent changes to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Amendment (Household Assistance) Bill 2009 as they will receive assistance from the Government to combat the higher cost of living brought on by the emissions trading scheme. The emissions trading scheme will push up the cost of living […]
The Business Council of Australia is calling on the Rudd Government to help pull the poor performing NSW economy out of trouble with a “radical” intervention. The state’s economy is in dire need of repair, with the once “premier state” sinking in key indicators of economic health including growth, business, investment, jobs, home building and […]
Google Australia has today unveiled their new Pyrmont headquarters in a ceremony in Sydney, officially opened by the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC. 350 Australian Googlers will be based in the new headquarters in the 6-Star Green Star-designed Workplace6 building in Pyrmont. The official opening comes just a month after Google Australia was named by […]
Queensland’s favourite Aussie pie shop, Big Dad’s Pies has gone national, with the opening of a new manufacturing facility allowing the company to SNAP freeze the freshness and quality of their pies and take them on the road. Big Dad’s Pies has grown rapidly over the past 6 years and now operates 40 stores, and […]
Symantec’s May 2009 MessageLabs Intelligence Report has found that spam levels have increased substantially in Australia, becoming the fourth most spammed country in the world, with spam levels reaching 89.7 percent. Australia has seen a 31 per cent uplift in spam in the last 12 months, while globally, spam levels grew by 5.1 percent since […]
With a growing number of small businesses being squeezed out by lenders, credit unions and mutual building societies have launched Australia’s first code of practice to commit to fair, responsible and ethical lending practices. The new Mutual Banking Code of Practice has been developed by industry body Abacus – Australian Mutuals. Under the code, credit […]
In the aftermath of the $100 million Kleenmaid collapse, Brisbane entrepreneur David Braatvedt of Andrew Barton Laundry Equipment has dispelled confusion within the industry, reassuring consumers that the suppliers of quality products, reliable service and trusted support remain unaffected. Braatvedt said many households and businesses were under the misconception that the liquidation of Kleenmaid means […]
The past year has seen a steady rise in the consumption of mobile content on social networks and communities, with new analysis from Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific Premium Content Market revealing that paid mobile content services across 13 Asia-Pacific countries grossed an estimated US$29.1 billion in 2008. Mobile entertainment applications – which include ringtones, music, […]
Research In Motion had been identified as providing the most robust mobile security solution for business for the BlackBerry Solution. The 2009 report by Lopez Research called Successful Mobile Deployments Require Robust Security rewarded RIM with an overall mobile security rating of 4/4 for the BlackBerry Solution. The report ranked a comprehensive mobile security solution […]
The housing market has received some welcome news, with the Housing Industry Association (HIA) predicting Australians will experience a recovery in the housing sector in the second half of the year. The Housing Industry Association’s quarterly National Outlook forecast a rise of 11 percent in housing starts following June 30 over the next 12 months, […]
