TODAY the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has registered a legislative instrument, along with an explanatory statement, on the Federal Register of Legislation, that extends the services and advice BAS agents can legally provide on the Australian Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package.

BAS agents can now legally support Australian businesses by advising about their entitlements under the new JobKeeper Payment and Cashflow support for business initiatives.

TPB chair, Ian Klug said the legislative instrument makes it clear that BAS agents can lawfully advise on the JobKeeper Payments and on the Cashflow support for business.

"This reflects a sensible and appropriate outcome to support the Government’s initiatives," Mr Klug said.

"The TPB is working to support the extraordinary efforts of all registered tax practitioners acting professionally and ethically to assist Australian workers and businesses, especially in understanding these stimulus entitlements."

Mr Klug said the issuing of the legislative instrument provides a timely reminder to all Australians who use a tax practitioner, to ensure that they are registered with the TPB.

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BUILDERS and tradies remain open for business and are complying with the social distancing and hygiene rules, in line with the latest advice from government according to Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn.

“The Prime Minister has confirmed that building is an essential industry and is being kept open but there is some confusion in the community about how this is applied to the home and we want to clear that up,” Ms Wawn said.

“Safe Work Australia advice confirms that a workplace includes a private home or dwelling, which means building workers and tradies will do everything to follow social distancing and strict hygiene practices, so any risks are eliminated or minimised.

“This means that the public can have confidence that they are doing the right thing in helping stop the spread of COVID-19, while still going ahead with their residential building projects.

“For home and property owners it is important to know that you don’t need to pull the plug on current work,” Ms Wawn said.

"Whether you’ve been planning a new build, a renovation job or you’ve been planning to talk to your builder about getting the ball rolling for this kind of project, you can still have your builder on your premises for purposes of work and be confident that they are complying with their obligations and that you are doing the right thing by the community,” Ms Wawn said.

“Whether its indoors or outdoors there is absolutely no problem with your project going ahead. There is no need to put kitchen or bathroom renovations, plumbing or electrical work or landscaping on hold.

“It’s also important for home and property owners and the community to know that Safe Work Australia has produced information for in-home workers and tradies, containing a range of practical information about client interactions, householder checks and other ways to reduce or eliminate risk,” Ms Wawn said.

“Our message to clients is that it’s your home and our members workplace so they will do everything necessary to comply with all safety laws.  It is still also more than okay to go and inspect a display home providing that you make an appointment. Our members are telling us that appointments are being made and now is a great time to do this,” Ms Wawn said.

“Builders and tradies care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of their communities and they are complying with the latest government advice so they can provide building services to their communities.

“There are nearly 370,000 residential building businesses in Australia, including thousands of mum and dad businesses. The survival of these businesses is essential to the livelihoods of builders and their families but also the state economy which is also under huge pressure from the COVID-19 crisis,” Ms Wawn said.

“We are encouraging the public to make the time now to book an appointment with their builder to plan their new project, to inspect a Display Home and continue on with their building project or renovation."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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CBUS SUPER has congratulated the South Australian Government and Cbus Property on their partnership for a new $300 million office building development, in the heart of the Adelaide CBD.

The South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will act as an anchor tenant for the 83 Pirie Street building.

Cbus Super CEO David Atkin said the development would support up to 2,000 construction jobs during the Covid-19 recovery.

“This landmark project comes at such an important time for the construction industry in South Australia,” Mr Atkin said.

“Building and construction will be the frontline of Australia’s economic recovery.

“Cbus has supported over 95,000 construction jobs through Cbus Property while delivering strong returns for our members.

“Cbus Super is in a strong liquidity position and we are determined to play our part in ensuring a strong pipeline of construction work to help secure the economic recovery.”

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THE OVERWHELMING majority of NSW councils have signed up to a workplace deal that will protect thousands of local government jobs during the current health crisis, providing job retention payments for workers unable to undertake their usual roles due to COVID-19 service closures.

Negotiated between local government unions, councils, and employer association Local Government NSW, more than 100 councils have already signed on to the Local Government (COVID-19) Splinter Award 2020, which was approved by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission late yesterday.

The Splinter Award, which will apply for 12 months, is designed to deal specifically with the effects of the COVID-19 health crisis, operating in addition to the existing award and any enterprise agreements at individual councils.

Councils will be required to look for other suitable work for employees whose usual jobs have been impacted by mandatory closures or other changes, and where this isn’t possible those workers will be paid a weekly job retention allowance of $858.20 for a period of 13 weeks. Employees can supplement that allowance from their accrued annual or long service leave, taking it up to their ordinary pay rate.

It also entitles employees to up to four weeks of Special Leave at their normal pay rate to cover any period where no work can be provided, including if an employee is required to self-isolate.

USU general secretary Graeme Kelly OAM said the agreement was designed to save jobs and provide financial security to local government workers facing the dramatic impacts of the current pandemic.

“This Splinter Award delivers immediate assistance to our members, particularly those who work in services that have been shut or disrupted by COVID-19 such as libraries and aquatic centres,” Mr Kelly said.

“Many of these workers have already been stood down without pay, or forced to take accrued leave, putting them in real financial hardship.

“This agreement, which the overwhelming majority of NSW councils have already signed up to, provides certainty and security to workers in these difficult times, keeping more staff in paid employment longer.

“The central features are a requirement for councils to look for alternate work that staff can be redeployed into during the crisis, along with special leave provisions and a job retention allowance that ensure a minimum financial safety net for all local government workers.

“We are continuing to work with other councils and expect more to sign up to the Splinter Award, extending this same support and assistance to their staff during the current crisis.”

Further information about the Splinter Award and a full list of councils that have signed up:  https://usu.org.au/local-government-covid-19-splinter-award-2020-summary/

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