Tag archive: Federal Government

More than one-third of Australians are prepared to leave their bank in 2017, which is a far cry from the inertia that has previously crippled this country, where consumers were prepared to put up with bad service. Results from a recent study conducted by COPC Inc. indicate that 36 per cent of Australians under the age of 39 are prepared...

Assaults have increased in areas around the Kings Cross and Sydney CBD lockout precincts, a new study by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has found. BOCSAR's latest update on the effects of the so-called "lockout laws" extends the time period covered in previous research by an additional 15 months. The analysis now covers the 61 months...

A warning on wage rates for growers, hostel owners and labour-hire contractors. The Fair Work Ombudsman is urging horticulture businesses to be vigilant when engaging workers from labour-hire operators this harvest season by making themselves aware of the minimum rates of pay for casual pickers under the Horticulture Award. "This season, I want to remind business operators who employ backpackers...

'Social media' and 'print media' are now 'traditional media'. 48% of small businesses and 79% of large companies are currently using social media to promote their brand, and of those that don't currently have a social media presence, a significant number expect to add at least one platform in the coming year. So with social media such a prevalent business...

Yesterday's December Quarter National Accounts shows that our economy rebounded strongly from the unexpectedly weak result in September, growing at 1.1 per cent in the December quarter. This is well above market expectation and results in an encouraging 2.4 per cent growth through the 2016 calendar year. Once again, Australia is growing faster than every G7 economy. Our growth continues...

The Canberra Business Chamber hopes the recent penalty rates decision by the Fair Work Commission helps create new jobs, especially for young Australians. "This is not an abolition of penalty rates, but a reduction in the Sunday and public holiday loading for the hospitality and retail sectors," Canberra Business Chamber CEO, Robyn Hendry explained. "Many businesses do not open on...

Comment by Tim Benson B2B Magazine Publisher. Time for Labor to keep its head down and gloves up … Having worked as a political adviser for over a decade (for my sins, in my misspent youth), I was made aware of a boxing analogy that is most sage advice for oppositions and that is to 'Keep your head down and...

The Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, recently announced $4.9 million for another 11 successful research projects funded under the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme, including research to: strengthen anti-counterfeiting features for Australian banknotes; ensure safe drinking water supplies; develop lighter and stronger plastics; advance faster, higher resolution 3D printing technology; and measure driving...

Local, national and international businesses are being asked to come up with innovative solutions to manage the ACT's waste into the future as part of a market soundings exercise run by Transport Canberra and City Services. "As part of ACT Government's commitment to ensuring Canberra grows into a smart and sustainable city, the waste industry is invited to share their...

Canberrans are encouraged to have their say on whether public transport waiting areas, including bus interchanges, bus stops, future light rail stops and taxi ranks across the ACT, should be made smoke-free. Minister for Health Meegan Fitzharris said Canberrans are encouraged to have their say on the proposal that would restrict smoking within five metres of public transport waiting areas....

Two community meetings will be held as part of the public hearing process to give Canberrans the chance to voice concerns about the proposed Hume facility. An independent inquiry panel was established in late January to review the FOY proposal for Hume, and report on the findings to the Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman. As part of...

In the face of the Federal Government's failure to manage the transition to a clean energy future, the Climate Action Roundtable has agreed to new plans for sub-national government action on climate change today in Cairns, ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury said. "The Federal Government's comprehensive failure to manage the transition to a clean energy future,...

The ACT's renewable energy investments are performing strongly and helping to insulate consumers from electricity price pressures, Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said today. "Three of our large-scale solar farms were generating electricity during the high price spikes experienced during the recent heatwave. An estimated $840,000 of earnings will flow back to ACT electricity users as an...

Does EQ outweigh IQ when it comes to success in the workplace? Nearly all human resources (HR) managers (95 percent) and workers (99 percent) surveyed by staffing firm OfficeTeam said it's important for employees to have a high emotional quotient, or EQ, because it helps them manage their own emotions and understand and react to the emotions of others. OfficeTeam...

Is the Canberra Show good or bad for Canberra business? Comment by B2B Magazine publisher Tim Benson Ok, now, before you all get you knickers in a knot about me being a killjoy, let me state upfront that I'm a great supporter of the Canberra Show and will be attending to look at the animals, buy showbags, go on the...

A new innovative accredited training program specifically targeting the West Belconnen community that will develop skills, provide work experience and deliver potential employment in the business administration sector for participants. Theory, practical hands-on learning and industry work experience will combine to provide successful participants with a Certificate II in Business as well as an exciting range of potential job opportunities...