THE House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Thursday, 22 June for its inquiry into water use efficiency in Australian agriculture.

The Committee will hear from the National Irrigators’ Council.

Public hearing details: 12:15pm - 1:30pm, Thursday 22 June, Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live in audio format at aph.gov.au/live

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website.

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HOW should Brexit affect the work of Australian lawyers in the United Kingdom? At a hearing in Canberra today, the Law Council of Australia will have its say.

The Trade Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from the Law Council at a public hearing today for its inquiry into Australia’s trade and investment relationship with the United Kingdom.

The Law Council, which is the peak representative body for the Australian legal profession, believes the decision by the UK to leave the European Union should not diminish the current level of access for Australian lawyers into the UK and should potentially expand access.

The Law Council’s submission says any proposed trade agreement with the UK should recognise the importance of multi-jurisdictional legal services in facilitating two-way trade and investment without costly legal disputes and possible failure. It supported the free movement of legal service providers from Australia and the UK.

The submission also raises concerns that as a consequence of Brexit, Australian legal firms and lawyers may no longer be in a position to recommend their clients to set up companies in the UK under the laws of England and Wales due to the uncertainties of post-Brexit trading rules and tariffs when trading with the EU.

Public hearing details: 10:05am - 11:00am, Wednesday 21 June, Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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SAFETY, employment, legal concerns, public transport, infrastructure needs, access and equity and Australia’s role in driverless vehicle technology – all topics are on the table as the parliamentary driverless vehicle inquiry holds its final public hearing in Canberra this morning.

The Industry, Innovations, Science and Resources Committee will be hearing from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science as it wraps up its public hearings for its inquiry into the social impacts of driverless vehicles.

The Committee has heard from 30 organisations and individual witnesses and held four inspections over the course of the inquiry.

Committee Chair Michelle Landry MP commented that members of the Committee were looking forward to being able to follow up with the two departments on some of the questions that have arisen throughout the inquiry.

“We have heard from a wide range of stakeholders – from manufacturers, regulators, industry groups, academics and many others – about the social issues relating to driverless vehicles," Ms Landry said. 

"Today we will get the chance to discuss some of the issues we’ve heard about with representatives of the Commonwealth departments responsible for infrastructure and industry and innovation.”

Public hearing details: 10.45am – 12.30pm, Wednesday 21 June, Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has encouraged small business operators to take advantage of the Government’s instant asset write-off extension.

More businesses are now eligible to buy equipment (new or second hand) up to $20,000 and write it off immediately after legislation passed the Senate. Multiple claims can be made under the program.

Small business has also been redefined for tax purposes as having a turnover less than $10 million, up from $2 million.

Ombudsman Kate Carnell welcomed the changes.

“The instant asset write-off program enables small business to immediately deduct assets costing less than $20,000 instead of claiming deductions over a number of years,” she said.

“This is a welcome incentive for small business to invest, which provides benefits for the broader economy and employment.”

Ms Carnell said anecdotal evidence suggested only a small proportion of eligible businesses were taking advantage of the opportunity.

“I encourage small business operators to invest before June 30 and claim the tax deduction,” she said.

Assets that cost $20,000 or more can't be immediately deducted.

Ms Carnell said small businesses in some industries would generally require assets above the $20,000 threshold.

“Effectively, this means that some industries are disadvantaged,” she said.

“It makes more sense for the threshold to be raised so that all businesses can benefit, upgrade their assets and continue to grow to benefit the economy.

“I will continue to urge the Government to lift the $20,000 threshold because for some industries, like farming, it’s too low for them to purchase equipment.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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