Politics and Policy
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Have your say: refunding excess GST
Helen Hull | August 29, 2012Comments are now being sought on draft legislation intended to clarify the circumstances in which the restriction on GST refunds applies to overpayments of GST.
Submissions close: Friday, 14 September 2012.
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Some big ideas for manufacturing, but will they happen?
Tim Mazzarol | August 27, 2012What does the future of manufacturing in Australia look like? Tim Mazzarol takes an in-depth look at a new report and what it means for First 5000 members.
The recently released Report of the Non-Government Members of the Prime Minister’s Manufacturing Task Force provides a comprehensive and well-considered blueprint for the future of Australia’s manufacturing sector. However, the sheer breadth of its scope may pose some significant challenges in seeing its recommendations fully implemented.
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Have your say: Personal Liability for Corporate Fault
Helen Hull | August 21, 2012First 5000 members are invited to comment on the third and final tranche of the Commonwealth’s Personal Liability for Corporate Fault Reform Bill 2012. This third tranche consists of amendments to Commonwealth tax legislation.
Submissions close: Monday, 3 September 2012.
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Have your say: excise equivalent goods administration
Helen Hull | August 15, 2012You are invited to have your say onimproving the efficiency and effectiveness of the excise equivalent goods administrative framework.
Submissions close: Friday, 31 August 2012.
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The erosion of privacy for jobseekers
Carolyn Smith | August 9, 2012It’s a fine line between private and public these days and some jobseekers have found that out the hard way. Carolyn Smith says that while many may lament the widespread Googling of candidates it’s the reality of the modern jobs market.
Picture the typical scenario playing out across offices in Australia. The recruiter or HR Officer makes a shortlist of resumes and then Google’s the job candidate.
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Have your say: tax relief for merging superannuation funds
Helen Hull | August 8, 2012We invite you to have your say on the exposure draft legislation related to the income tax relief for merging superannuation funds.
Submissions on the exposure draft close: Friday 24 August 2012.
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Threat of real distortions in the EFTPOS market
Jost Stollmann | August 7, 2012Australia’s four major banks and Woolworths and Coles will potentially be the big beneficiaries if a new regulation of the EFTPOS payments system is allowed to proceed.
Under the proposals, the major banks and retailers will be allowed to negotiate special deals for themselves, while charging small and medium sized retailers higher fees if they wish.
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Have your say: Work health and safety Codes of Practice
Helen Hull | August 1, 2012To support the Model Work Health and Safety Act, Safe Work Australia have released the fourth set of draft model Codes of Practice. You are invited to have your say.
Submissions close: Friday 24 August 2012.
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Have your say: Compulsory Licensing of Patents
Helen Hull | July 17, 2012First 5000 members are invited to comment on the compulsory licensing provisions of the Patents Act 1990.
Submissions close: 28 September 2012.
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Frustration with our politicians
Ray Levin | July 10, 2012First 5000 member Ray Levin shares his frustration with the lack of understanding from our leaders when it comes to business.
It has never been more obvious that our Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the world’s best treasurer, Wayne Swan have never been in business.
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Carbon Claims Hotline open
Helen Hull | July 4, 2012The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched its new ACCC Carbon Price Claims Hotline with the introduction of the Carbon Tax on Sunday (1 July).
ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the Carbon Price Claims Hotline, 1300 303 609, and online carbon price claim form, will make it easier for consumers and business to complain if they suspect false price claims are being made about the carbon price.
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Have your say: Hazardous waste
Helen Hull | June 19, 2012The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities is undertaking a review of the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 and associated regulations.
Submissions close: 12 July 2012.
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New gender equality law moves forward
Helen Hull | June 19, 2012A new law to promote gender equality in Australian workplaces is a step closer.
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012 passed through the House of Representatives late yesterday.
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Employers not cashing-in on staff training funds
Kathleen Newcombe | June 19, 2012Too many employers are unaware of government funding opportunities to upskill staff through accredited workplace training. Sarina Russo Institute CEO Kathleen Newcombe explains the benefits including funding of up to $3000 per employee.
Existing worker traineeships are a fantastic opportunity to ensure employees have the right skills to do their job and improve the productivity and competitiveness of the business.
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Changes to business registration cuts red tape
Helen Hull | June 12, 2012The way business names are registered has been changed in an attempt to cut costs and red tape for businesses across Australia.
The Federal Government and every State and Territory Government has now passed legislation to allow the first unified national business names registration service.
