News
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 […]
Treasurer Wayne Swan announced in his Budget speech last night that small businesses are the “backbone of the Australian economy” and as such has implemented a number of measures in the Budget designed to support small business.
Small business have received some tax relief in the Budget, with the Government increasing the Small Business and General Business Tax Break (Investment Allowance) from 30 percent to 50 percent. The 50 per cent deduction will be available on new capital worth $1,000 or more, such as vehicles, purchased between December 13, 2008, and December […]
‘Nation building’ was the theme of Federal Budget night, with Treasurer Wayne Swan allocating $22 billion to transport and broadband infrastructure in his second Budget. “The centrepiece of this Budget is the $22 billion we are investing in the infrastructure our nation needs to grow and to prosper in the years ahead,” said Swan in […]
The education sector will receive $5.6 billion in funding over six years, according to the Federal Budget delivered by Treasurer Wayne Swan last night. Swan noted the role of education in Australia’s recovery from recession: “Australia’s recovery depends heavily on our human capital, on our ability to educate our people, and innovation in business.” With […]
Treasurer Wayne Swan has flagged a record deficit of $57.6 billion this year in his second Federal Budget, with no sign of surplus for government coffers until the 2015-16 financial year. The deficit comes amid a spending spree that includes an increase in the aged pension, up $32.49 per week, a paid parental leave scheme […]
As expected, the Federal Budget has included an 18 week paid parental leave at the minimum wage, amounting to roughly $540 a week and will be available for women earning less that $150,000 a year. The scheme is expected to be implemented in 2011 and has been welcomed by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick who […]
In a blow to small business, the Government have delivered cuts to superannuation tax concessions in the Federal Budget, expecting to save more than $1 billion next year by halving limits on tax-deductible contributions, and reining back on its co-contribution scheme. The Government will halve the maximum limit on concessional contributions from $100,000 to $50,000 […]
The latest private health insurance rebate scheme delivered in the Federal Budget has been a blow for high income earners, as they face $1000 a year increase in health insurance payments, with the government tapering the 30 percent rebate for the wealthy. The rebate will start to reduce for couples with incomes of $150,000 (singles […]
After months of speculation that the boost to the first home owners grant was due to expire on June 30, the government has delivered a welcome surprise for first home owners, extending the grant until December 31. The first home owners grant was lifted from $7,000 to $14,000 for existing dwellings and from $14,000 to […]
