#Acci
More employers took steps towards gender equality in 2016-17 but pay gap barely shrunk
Although women continue to earn less than men in full-time employment and they remain underrepresented on company boards, more employers are taking action on gender equality, according to data released by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. The agency’s fourth annual gender equality scorecard, which covers over four million employees and 11,000 employers, shows that in […]
SMEs investment and employment impeded due to electricity price hikes outpacing inflation
The price of electricity increased 8.9% last quarter, according to the latest ABS Consumer Price Index (CPI), prompting the nation’s peak employer body to warn that businesses are at ‘breaking point’. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6 per cent in the September quarter 2017, with the most significant price rises that quarter being electricity (+8.9%), […]
Business confidence continued to falter prior to Budget: ACCI Survey
The latest Small Business Survey from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed a continuing trend of poor confidence prior to the release of the Government’s Budget last week.
University and business bodies targeting graduate employability
Australia’s future university graduates are set to benefit from a new strategy being brought to life by the country’s university and business leaders.
Pessimistic outlook for small business: ACCI Survey
The latest Small Business Survey by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has revealed the nation’s small businesses are expecting a difficult year ahead.
Lowering corporate tax will lead to economic growth: Report
The report, titled Economic Policy Reforms 2015: Going for Growth, said Australia would see a rise in productivity performance if taxation in the corporate sector was lowered.
Small Business Minister Bruce Billson responds to ACCI survey
Small Business Minister Bruce Billson has responded to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Survey of Investor Confidence released yesterday, calling it “a reminder of the work that must be done.”
GST increase: SMEs to benefit from wider tax package
Tax experts and small business advocates have urged that any increase to the rate or base of the GST be accompanied by other tax changes that will help ease the burden on SMEs.
Small business body backs FWC appeals overhaul
One of Australia’s peak business groups has defended the creation of a more effective appeals mechanism at the Fair Work Commission after the Law Council warned against the controversial proposal. Kate Carnell, the head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representing about 300,000 small businesses, said there was precedent for specialist appeals divisions […]
Disciplining employees for unwise social media posts
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has stood down its chief economist Burchell Wilson over tasteless Facebook posts, pending the outcome of an investigation.
Business must play role in reducing national health costs
One of Australia’s business leaders has championed the fight against unemployment as a means to improve national health outcomes and called on business to play a leading role. Head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kate Carnell, this week said there were significant health savings to be made by helping unemployed people into […]
Poor trading conditions for business post budget
New figures show the business community is struggling and remains reluctant to hire staff following the May federal budget. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s most recent Business Expectations survey found that key indicators — namely those measuring sales, profits, investment and employment — were grounded in negative territory. The general business conditions index […]
40 job applications a month raises red tape concerns
A new plan requiring jobseekers to apply for 40 positions a month has been condemned for needlessly increasing red tape obligations on small business owners.
Foreign 457 visa worker row reignites
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has hit back at claims that migrant labour is responsible for a marked decline in the number of apprentices.
Small business still struggling in tough conditions
According to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s most recent small business survey, investment in plants and equipment has dropped to its lowest level in five years. In addition, investment in buildings and structures is also on the slide.
Carbon tax fat lady yet to sing
It’s been four long years the phrase ‘carbon tax’ first became a core part of the Australian political lexicon. Despite the new Government’s plan to scrap the tax, it seems the debate is far from over.
Business confidence continues to slide
Businesses are pessimistic about trading conditions and their performance for the first quarter of 2012, as concerns about the European debt crisis and the slowing Chinese economy pulled down the majority of indicators in the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ACCI) Survey of Investor Confidence.
Business leaders cautiously welcome mini-Budget
The Federal Government has revealed a round of spending cuts to the tune of $6.8 billion over the next four years to help the nation’s balance sheet return to black.
75% of business owners do not support a carbon tax or ETS
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry released results of a national survey of over 1,000 Australian business owners showing that 75 percent currently oppose the unilateral adoption of an emissions training scheme or carbon tax
RSPT backdown forces Company Tax cuts to halve
With BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata forcing Julia Gillard to bend to their RSPT demands, the Government will halve proposed Company Tax for business.
Fair Work Australia grant lowest paid $26 a week pay rise
Fair Work Australia has increased the wages of 1.4 million award-dependent workers by $26 per week after a two year wage freeze under the previous Government’s wage-setting tribunal.
Lowest paid lose with Henry Review superannuation changes
The lowest paid workers will lose out under the Henry Review superannuation changes, with employers forced to cut wages to pay the increased superannuation rate.
ACTU pushes for $27 pay rise – employers unimpressed
The ACTU has embarked on a campaign to increase wages, asking for $27 extra of 5 percent more per week, but employers argue that an increase of that size will place jobs at risk.