THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell said the Victorian Government’s $26 million wellbeing initiative for small business owners and workers would save lives.

“The enormity of this second wave lockdown and the psychological distress it is causing for small business owners cannot be underestimated,” Ms Carnell said.

“Given small business loans are often secured against the family home, the stakes are incredibly high and that is understandably taking a huge toll on small business owners’ mental health.

“The Victorian Government is responding to the needs of the small business community, including sole traders, who will require ongoing mental health support for the duration of this crisis. This will save lives.”

Under the program, St John Ambulance will provide accredited mental health support training to chambers of commerce across Victoria.

“Local chambers of commerce have direct links to the small business community,” Ms Carnell said.

“It’s logical to provide them with training to not only respond to small business owners experiencing stress, but even more critically -- to identify the signs of someone who needs support.

“I would encourage all small business owners to seek help if they need it – there are plenty of free support services out there. You don’t have to face this alone," Ms Carnell said.

“The expansion of the Partners in Wellbeing telephone hotline to include immediate access to business advisors and financial counsellors is also a welcome move.

“There’s never been a tougher time to be in business, so it’s really important that small business owners are prioritising all aspects of their health right now.

“Our My Business Health web portal provides free practical resources to help with running your business and also links to leading mental health organisations such as Beyond Blue.”

The Partners in Wellbeing telephone hotline is 1300 375 330 and Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au

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A QUEENSLAND resources industry plan for the COVID-19 recovery will assist keeping Queenslanders in work and get more back into employment, with confirmation today the State’s jobless rate was now the nation’s highest at 8.8 percent.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the industry had worked extremely hard to flatten the curve and to keep the workers prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The resources industry is seeking an industry development plan to work in partnership with government to seize on the opportunities for new investment and new jobs across the state,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The industry needs greater certainty about the assessment and approval processes for new projects and stability on the taxes and royalties the industry pays.

“On the same day, the ABS confirms Queensland’s unemployment rate is 8.8 percent, there are 800 job vacancies in resources and energy across Queensland on Seek."

QRC’s Resource Industry Recovery Agenda is a detailed plan that has been presented to the State Government, all Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Government’s economic recovery. 

Link to the QRC’s plan https://www.qrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Resource-Industry-Recovery-Agenda_updated.pdf.

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THE INQUIRY into food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities is holding further public hearings on Tuesday 18^th and Wednesday 19^th August, 2020.

Julian Leeser MP, Chair of the House of Representatives Indigenous Affairs Committee, said key stakeholders from Queensland and Western Australia would be appearing including local councils, health agencies, Aboriginal Corporations, the WA Government and Metcash. The chairman of the National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board will also appear before the committee.

"These hearings will contribute significantly to the existing body of evidence for this inquiry. The committee looks forward to discussing some of the reasons for food insecurity in remote Indigenous communities, its impacts, and some of the possible solutions," Mr Leeser said.

"We will be particularly interested to hear from the National COVID-19 Commission on the additional challenges the pandemic is causing for remote food supplies."

The hearings will be conducted via telephone and video links due to social distancing requirements relating to COVID-19. Full programs are available at the inquiry website.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 18 August 2020
Time: 9.40am to 4.20pm
Location: Via conference call

Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2020
Time: 9am to 3.40pm
Location: Via conference call

An audio broadcast will be accessible at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed action taken by Greensill to cut ties with clients that have poor payment terms, calling on other supply chain finance providers to follow suit.

“Greensill has issued discontinuance notices to its supply chain finance clients who fail to comply with 30-day payment terms,” Ms Carnell said.

“This is strong action taken in response to our Supply Chain Finance Review, showing that Greensill takes prompt payment times to small business seriously.

“There is no reason why other supply chain finance providers can’t do the same.

“As outlined in our Supply Chain Finance Review, we know there are large companies extending their payment terms to 60 or more days from the end of month the invoice is lodged and offering supply chain finance to those that want to be paid earlier and are willing to take a discount on the invoiced amount," Ms Carnell said.

“This practice is unacceptable and harmful to small businesses, especially in the current difficult trading conditions.

“Now, more than ever before, small businesses need to be paid the full invoiced amount owed, on time. Their survival depends on it.

“That’s why my office has recommended federal legislation requiring small businesses to be paid in 30 days. It is the only way to drive meaningful change in business payment performance across the economy," she said.

“Greensill has shown that supply chain finance providers can lead by example by cutting off clients that fail to pay on time.

“This should be the position adopted by all supply chain finance facilitators.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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