Tag archive: ACT Government

The ACT Government says a significant overhaul of regulations will help businesses like clubs, bars and music venues operate more easily in the nighttime economy. This will form only one part of a regulation agenda that has been released following a review of business regulation in the ACT. It's already been welcomed by the business community. Some of the issues...

An inquiry into the efficiency and effectiveness of the ChooseCBR voucher scheme has revealed that while there were some faults in its management, it was overall an effective way to have stimulated the ACT's post-lockdown economy. While the review noted that had more assessment of the web-based application been undertaken, technical issues may have been unearthed, it later conceded this...

This year marks 45 years since Canberra's community clubs received a united voice, and there's no sign of it losing its strength. ClubsACT is the peak association representing the interests of the ACT’s not-for-profit licenced club industry, with aggregate memberships well above 500,000 across the local region. It was established on 12 July, 1976, as the Licenced Clubs Association of...

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has flagged an expansion to the previously announced business support measures, given the extension of the lockdown to 2 September. Many businesses across various sectors, including construction and non-essential retail, now face the prospect of being unable to operate at all or with extremely diminished turnover until at least early September. Businesses with employees are now...

Innovative businesses doing everything from airport artificial intelligence and quantum sensors, to telehealth for chronic pain and online fashion, have been awarded the combined funding of around $260,000 in a recent round of grants. A partnership between the ACT Government and Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) has seen nine diverse startups secure funding through the aptly named Innovation Connect (ICON) Grant....

Women are sitting at the head of the table in many boardrooms around Canberra, with gender bias being thrown out the window in the traditionally male-dominated building, construction and real estate industries. Grace Ferreira has been the Master Builders Association of ACT president for almost five years, and is the first female non-executive board member of Master Builders Australia in...

Admiring the Andes Mountains in Chile while jogging, Mick Fritschy’s foot slipped down a pothole, breaking his ankle. Later recovering on a couch, his mind turned to renting caravans, sowing the seed of a greater adventure that would ultimately make the world a better place. That adventure began later at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, where world-class start-ups...

When MJ Qail and Tam Bakr sat down for a coffee 12 years ago, they came up with a grand business idea. They launched Big Impact Media just before the global financial crisis of 2007-2008, against the advice of everyone they knew. The innovation and startup sector knows well that if your product is good enough, demand will be there...

The ACT Government proposal to replace the current Employment Agent Licensing Scheme with a new labour hire licensing scheme is designed to enforce compliance with employer and workplace obligations. But it may need further scrutiny, and federal and state organisations responsible for compliance may need to work together to ensure an effective national scheme prevents unscrupulous or disreputable companies operating,...

A survey of 300 businesses in Braddon has revealed that more than half face the prospect of closure before the end of the year if another lockdown were to occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey also found that 68 per cent of businesses experienced revenue loss during restrictions of between 50 and 100 per cent, and 17 per...

With one third of our adult lives spent at work, and work-related stress estimated to affect around 32 per cent of all Australians, mental health in the workplace is a significant issue. The ACT's new Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius, said that workplace mental health matters, and it should be addressed the same way as other workplace health...

The president of the Phillip Business Community called on the ACT Government to provide more fiscal stimulus through grants to help struggling industries that have fallen through the cracks during COVID-19 restrictions. Tom Adam said the ACT should follow in the footsteps of Queensland, NSW and Victoria by providing cash grants of up to $10,000 for struggling businesses. He emphasised...

Canberra developers have called for rates and land tax relief as part of a stimulus package for Canberra's economy, saying that it is critical that construction continues to keep the local economy rolling. Property Council CEO Adina Cirson said she has been in talks with the Canberra Business Chamber and the Master Builders Association about construction's role in the post-COVID-19...

Employees can now take their wage theft claims to the ACT Magistrates Court instead of having their cases dragged out at the Fair Work Commission after new laws were passed in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (24 September). The Courts (Fair Work and Work Safety) Bill 2019 will now allow ACT magistrates to hear small wage-theft claims under $25,000 after...

Are you a woman living in the ACT who is interested in becoming a board member or director? If so, a series of free workshops will be run in coming weeks aimed at developing the skills needed. The ACT Government is committed to having 50 per cent female representation on ACT Government boards and committees by next year and sees...

The ACT Government is hoping to fill a gap in the events calendar with a new Winter Festival next year to promote Canberra as a home of innovation, new technology and creative thinking. Last year's budget allocated $1.85 million to the 2020 festival and a tender has been released for an experienced event executive producer to deliver and run it...