THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said small businesses impacted by bushfires can now call a hotline for financial support.

The Federal Government-established Small Business Bushfire Financial Support Line 1800 413 828 (website: www.smallbusinessbushfire.org.au) is now taking calls, with trained financial counsellors ready to provide much-needed assistance to small business operators.

“Small businesses in bushfire affected areas can now access free financial counselling and critical information on the assistance and funding programs available to them,” Ms Carnell said.

“If they haven’t made contact with their trusted financial adviser already, I would encourage small business owners to make the most of these free services that are now available.

“The Small Business Bushfire Financial Support Line is a dedicated, single contact point for small businesses. It’s a good starting point for those who may be feeling overwhelmed as they begin the process of getting back on their feet.

“While the support line will be helpful in providing important basic information, small businesses really need a tailored financial recovery plan to survive and thrive.

“That customised strategy should ideally come from a trusted advisor that has existing knowledge of the small business and the environment it operates in.

“A tailored recovery plan should be the top priority - especially for any small business in receipt of the recently announced new $10,000 grant - to help them stay afloat in the next six to 12 months.

“In time, we hope this financial support hotline will be extended to all Australian small businesses as so many are facing extraordinary challenges right now.”

Support Line 1800 413 828.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has postponed several scheduled public hearings.

Hearings postponed are:

• Cyber Resilience: Inquiry into Auditor-General’s Reports 1 and 13 (2019-20) on Wednesday, March 25, 2020;
• The Administration of Government Grants: Inquiry into Auditor-General's Reports 5, 12 and 23 (2019-20) on Friday, March 27,  2020; and
• Inquiry into the 2018-19 Defence Major Projects Report and the Future Submarine Project - Transition to Design (Auditor-General’s Reports 19 and 22 (2019-20)) on Friday, March 27, 2020.

The Committee will resume usual activities, including public hearings in due course.

Further information about the inquiries is available on the Committee’s website.

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THE National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Authority (NATSIHA) cautiously supports the safety measures put into place recently by the Northern Territory government regarding the deadly coronavirus.

The restrictions relate to travel to Aboriginal communities unless providing essential services with similar measures planned for APY lands in South Australia.
 
NATSIHA co-chair, Ivan Simon said, “These restrictions are in place to protect Aboriginal people who already face chronic health conditions, lack of resources and overcrowding and in many cases severe overcrowding.

"The issue with overcrowding is that many people are in close proximity to each other and any disease can spread unabated as we have seen in the past with such ailments as diarrhoea and scabies.

"Overcrowding also places a severe strain on the housing functionality which will affect basic hygiene practices due to the bathroom and toilet not working properly which adds to the likelihood of diseases spreading rapidly in these houses.
 
“NATSIHA is disappointed on many levels with Commonwealth, State and Territory governments because of inaction regarding the Closing the Gap Refresh which identified housing as an essential target because it will increase the chance of success of the current seven targets," Mr Simon said.

"Indigenous housing has been ’grossly’ underfunded and its importance in the debate around improved Indigenous health and well-being and participation on a holistic level is under-estimated. A house in not the solution in itself, however it provides a stable base to enable other services and support to be delivered to the doorstep and the chance of success is greatly improved," he said.

NATSIHA is urging the Australian and State/Territory governments to activate the Closing the Gap Refresh results and include Indigenous housing in its targets and provide ongoing funding for increased Indigenous housing and services to be delivered efficiently and effectively with direct input from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and organisations.

"A long term bi-partisan approach by both major political parties would also enhance the success of programs and NATSIHA looks forward to continued discussions with government and bureaucracies to that end."

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THE Palaszczuk Government’s decision to allow all Queensland companies to defer payroll tax payments for six months, in response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), will boost much needed cash flow to thousands of companies across the state, according tot he Queendsland Resources Council.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the payroll tax deferral would benefit mining companies and the sector's 14,400 suppliers, who combined employ more than 372,000 Queenslanders or one in seven jobs.

Mr Macfarlane said mining companies paid a combined $6.1 billion – or almost $120 million every week – in wages last financial year, and they spent more than $22 billion with small-to-medium business suppliers. 

“The government’s deferral of payroll tax will benefit mining companies and thousands of those supplier companies across Queensland, whether they are in Moranbah in central Queensland, Morningside in Brisbane or Mount Isa,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“It will mean payroll tax payments would not be due until 31 July.

“Our industry welcomes the government’s efforts to support business in response to COVID-19.  More measures will be needed.  One of the most important forms of support will be the government’s continued commitment to stability on royalties, taxes, fees and charges.

“At uncertain times when confidence is low, it’s critical that the government commits to stability, providing greater certainty and improve confidence," Mr Macfarlane said.

“In addition to $6.1 billion in wages, the mining companies contributed another $5 billion in royalties and other taxes to the Queensland Government.”

Information on payroll tax deferral can be found at www.osr.qld.gov.au

www.qrc.org.au

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