AN online survey launched today makes it easy for Australians to have their say about improving question time in the House of Representatives.

Bert van Manen, the chair of the House Procedure Committee, said the survey is part of a parliamentary inquiry into the way question time is run.

"The survey lets you quickly and easily provide your thoughts about what we could do differently during question time," Mr van Manen said. "It takes just a few minutes to do."

Committee Deputy Chair Milton Dick said it is a great opportunity for everyday Australians to get involved.

"We’re open to all ideas and this is just one way that people can provide feedback," Mr Dick said. 

"People can also provide written submissions until the survey closes on October 31."

In its inquiry, the Committee will consider ideas about the format of Question Time, how questions can be asked and the standing orders that govern question time. The behaviour of individual MPs is not part of the inquiry.

The Committee is also consulting MPs and looking at how question time operates in other parliaments.

"We want to get feedback from a broad range of people," Mr van Manen said. "I encourage everyone to have their say."

For more information about this Committee, visit its website https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Procedure.

On the site, people can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings.

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PEOPLE with a passion for singing are urged to make a date to join the Queensland Choir for its acclaimed biennial Brisbane Sings Messiah in City Hall this December.

The Queensland Choir’s chorus master Kevin Power said singers who may not be regular choristers now have a unique opportunity to perform Handel’s most famous work as part of a 150-voice choir, with professional soloists and orchestra, in one of Brisbane’s most outstanding concert venues.  

“No audition is necessary, but singers must be at least 18 years old and attend six rehearsals, culminating in the Sunday afternoon concert on December 3 in Brisbane City Hall before an expected audience of more than 1000 people,” he said.

“Singing in the choir is fun and a challenge, as the Queensland Choir has a long history of performing Messiah in City Hall to the highest standards. Everything is thoroughly rehearsed, and choir members enjoy being part of a welcoming group sharing a common interest and learning from professional musicians, and each other.” 

Established in 1872, the Queensland Choir performed at the opening of City Hall in 1930 and staged the first Messiah there in the same year. 

“We realise not everyone can afford the time to commit to full-time membership of a choir these days, but it’s thrilling to share the experience of performing this masterpiece with a large choir in such a venue. Brisbane Sings Messiah enables interested singers take part in a full performance with a minimum of commitment.” 

Registrations close once soprano, alto, tenor and bass lists are full, so interested singers should contact the choir now https://qldchoir.com/sing-with-us/ phone 0491 654 134, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THE QUEENSLAND CHOIR – Brisbane Sings Messiah, Sunday, December 1, 2.45pm-5.15pm, Brisbane City Hall. Tickets: $45-$60; children and full-time students: $15- $25,  book online https://qldchoir.com/events/brisbane-sings-messiah-2019 or phone 3847 1717.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell agrees with RBA Governor Philip Lowe’s view that small business needs support from our financial institutions.

“In cutting the official cash rate to an all-time-low of 0.75 percent, RBA Governor Philip Lowe made several pertinent observations about the credit squeeze affecting the Australian small business sector and how that’s effecting the economy more broadly,” Ms Carnell said.

“Most would agree with Dr Lowe’s comment that we will all be better off if businesses have the confidence to expand, invest, innovate and hire people.

“Dr Lowe says lending standards have strengthened, but the ‘pendulum may have swung a bit too far’ in some areas," she said.

“Vitally, Dr Lowe made it clear that our financial institutions should support small businesses, stating ‘lenders should not be so scared of making a loan that goes bad that they don’t provide the credit the economy needs’.

“The RBA Governor’s advice should be heeded. The overwhelming feedback to my office from the small business community is that a lack of access to funding is their biggest barrier to growth," Ms Carnell said.

“The most recent SME Growth Index revealed one in five SMEs are experiencing cash flow problems due to business loans being rejected.

“Even the Australian Banking Association has acknowledged that small business loan applications have fallen by 33 percent since 2014.

“It’s time we all sit up and listen to the RBA Governor. If our financial institutions change the way they do business with SMEs, it might just give small businesses the confidence they need to grow, which would be if significant benefit the Australian economy.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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"BANKS and other lenders must pass on today’s RBA rate cut in full and without delay,” Master Builders Australia’s chief economist Shane Garrett said. 

“The Reserve Bank reduced the official interest rate by 25 basis points earlier this afternoon, taking the rate down to a new unprecedented low of just 0.75 percent,” he said. 

“We welcome today’s RBA’s decision given it has the potential to boost demand across the economy and reduce financing costs for the 370,000 small businesses in the building and construction sector.

“There is already evidence that the interest rate reductions earlier this year have started to steer some parts of the housing market in a positive direction,” Mr Garrett said. 

“The latest RBA move will only succeed if it is matched by similar reductions in the interest rate on mortgages and small business loans. It is important that the banks and major lenders play their part in making sure that this happens,” Mr Garrett said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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