News
The Opposition have criticised the Government’s decision to delay increasing the pension age until 2023, believing it should come sooner. The Budget revealed that the Government plan to gradually raise the pension age to 67 by 2023, but Liberal frontbencher Tony Abbott said that it should come sooner. “I think raising the pension age makes […]
Optus chief executive said the telco has benefited from the Government’s stimulus package, attracting more shoppers. The company posted a 5.6 percent lift in annual profit, experiencing a greater consumer activity as a result of the stimulus measures. “The economic stimulus provided by the government has definitely made itself felt in terms of customer buying […]
With international airfares at their cheapest level in more than 10 years, and with the stimulus dollars flowing into bank accounts, budget conscious Aussies have been throwing caution to the wind and booking great holidays, without travel insurance. Edith Fink from ARTOG.com.au, a free online service that compares Australian travel insurances side by side has […]
The proposed changes to the employee share scheme in the Budget are a “disaster for employees and employers” according to Mr Michael Dundas, a Partner of Moore Stephens in Sydney. Under the current law, employee scheme participants can choose whether they want to pay tax on the schemes at the start or when they sell […]
Digital company Bush Australia has applauded the Government’s inclusion of digital television in the Federal Budget. The Government announced additional funding of almost $140 million over three years to help Australians prepare for digital television switchover, along with $185.3 million in additional funding allocated to the ABC and SBS. Bush Australia Managing Director Daniel Todd […]
Small businesses are being given the opportunity to gain helpful advice from financial experts on how they can best weather the finance crisis with the May Money Expo – How to fund your business in 2009 hosted by not-for-profit group, the Finance & Treasury Association. The expo will provide small businesses with access to vital […]
A radical plan by the West Australian Government to exempt small business from payroll tax for a year will help to protect jobs, says WA treasurer Troy Buswell. The WA Government plan to implement a one-off payroll tax rebate. Businesses with a payroll up to $1.6 million will get a full payroll tax rebate next […]
The latest findings from the Dun & Bradstreet Business Expectations Survey, have been mixed, with employment growth and capital investment confidence dropping, while sales and profit expectations increased. The findings show that business executives are seeing small signs of economic revival despite remaining in negative territory. The index for expected sales and profit increase is […]
In his response to the Federal Budget, Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull has vowed to block the means tests on private health insurance, instead offering to replace the $1.9 billion by lifting tobacco taxes. The private health insurance rebate scheme delivered in the Federal Budget involves means testing the private health insurance rebates for the wealthy. […]
Symantec’s May 09 State of Spam Report has revealed that spammers are taking advantage of worldwide events, such as the swine flu and Mother’s Day to infiltrate people’s email inboxes. The report highlights that spam levels increased with the swine flu outbreak, in particular concerning health related spam emails. The report noted that the spam […]
MYOB CEO Tim Reed has applauded the Government for including measures in the Budget to encourage small business to enter the online space. The latest MYOB Small Business Survey revealed that 60 percent of small business do not have their own business website, with many failing to take advantage of online opportunities to enhance their […]
Ever wanted to build your own website quickly and for little cost? webin4 (www.webin4.com) have launched Australia’s first website builder, allowing small business to design a website for less that $500 in four easy steps. The website design solution, developed by enflexion, an Australian website design firm, gives customers a custom built website which they […]
I recently started working out with a new personal trainer in a bid to shift some kilos. My colleagues are already bored of hearing me moan about wanting to eat something I’m not ‘allowed’ or how much my quads happen to be hurting today, but I am a Pom, and I do whinge. New trainer […]
The Australian Conservation Foundation has commended the Federal Government for providing strong funding for solar and public transport in the Budget, with a push towards a greener economy. ACF executive director Don Henry has applauded the Government for taking steps towards a “clean energy and clean transport future.” “The $1.46 billion of new money (allocated […]
The Rapid Active & Affordable Transport Alliance (RAATA) has commended the Government for allocating $4.6 billion to public transport infrastructure. The RAATA noted that it’s the first time a Federal Government has made a significant investment in urban public transport, and believe it is “good for the environment… public health… and stimulating jobs in the […]
The measures handed down in the Federal Budget have largely been supported by the retail industry, because of the direct contribution they will make to help stimulate spending in the economy. National Retail Association (NRA) executive director, Gary Black welcomed the tax cuts, pension increases and infrastructure spending, believing they will “enhance aggregate consumer spending […]
Small business are not winners in the Government’s Federal Budget says Shadow Small Business Minister Steven Ciobo. “Labor’s Budget has missed the opportunity to assist Australia’s 2.4 million small businesses which are the key to Australia’s economic recovery.” Ciobo believes that they neglected to cover off one of the biggest problems facing small business – […]
A fraction of the additional funding given to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the latest Federal Budget will go toward boosting supplies of anti-viral medication against swine flu, and other possible viruses, for overseas staff. Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith said $400,000 had been allocated over two years “to replace ageing […]
IP Australia, in conjuction with BEC Australia, are running a number of nationwide events entitled ‘10 Ways to make Money from Smart Ideas’. The seminars will cover the basics of intellectual property (IP) – what it is and how to protect it – as well as run through some IP management strategies that will enable […]
The Federal Budget has delivered some hits and misses for small business, according to small business owner and CEO of marketing and public relations agency Taurus Marketing, Sharon Williams. Ms Williams has applauded the Government’s tax incentives for small business, with the Investment Allowance on capital assets increasing from 30 percent to 50 percent. “I […]
