AS 2017 National Farm Safety Week gets underway, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, has encouraged farmers and rural workers to keep their safety, health and wellbeing front and centre all year round.

​"Agriculture is the biggest employer in our rural and regional communities, so farm safety should be a priority for everyone in the sector," Minister Hartsuyker said.

"From vehicular and tractor safety, to working with chemicals and animals, to dealing with stress and mental health issues or the safety of older farmers and children—farming can be a high risk job.

"National Farm Safety Week is an important opportunity to start a dialogue—both at home and in the workplace­—across the farming sector and in regional communities.   

"While the government will continue to work closely with industry and peak work safe bodies to address farm safety, it is everybody's responsibility to ensure farm health and safety is treated as a priority and that proactive steps are taken to recognise warning signs and mitigate any risks.

"One of 2017 National Farm Safety Week's main focuses is quad and vehicle safety, given tractors, other machinery and quad bikes are the leading causes of deaths on farms.

"In 2016, quad bikes accounted for the highest number of overall agricultural deaths and injuries. Tragically, already this year we have seen a number of farmers killed while riding quad bikes.

"This is why the Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to improve quad bike safety to create a safer working environment for all farmers and rural workers."

Now in its 19th year, this year's National Farm Safety Week will take place from July 17–21, with a theme of 'creating a resilient, safe and healthy ag community'.

National Farm Safety Week is an initiative of FarmSafe Australia, with the aim of raising awareness and reducing deaths and injuries associated with health and safety risks on farms.

For more information on 2017 National Farm Safety Week visit farmsafe.org.au/Farm-Safety-Week.

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AUSTRALIA’s premier body representing the needs of small businesses, the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), are hosting a Small Business Start-Up Reception to kick-off the Vodafone National Small Business Summit, Australia’s premier policy event for small business representatives, government and industry leaders which will take place in Melbourne, 23–25 August.

The networking event will provide a unique opportunity for small business owners to meet and talk to industry decision-makers, including Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA and COSBOA board members, to discuss key issues currently facing more than 2 million small businesses across Australia, including pay penalty rates, bank payments, cyber security and more.

EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: Small Business Start-Up Reception
WHEN: 6:00pm-8:00pm, Wednesday 23 August 2017
WHERE: Event Centre Collins Square, 727 Collins St, Melbourne
PRICE: Early bird: $75.00 until 31 July; Standard: $90.00
DRESS CODE: Smart Casual
WEBSITE: http://www.cosboansbs.com.au/registration
HASHTAG: #NSBS17

The event will include an address from Mr Strong, in addition to a panel discussion between some of Australia’s leading young entrepreneurs delving into the topic of 'how can schools empower more student entrepreneurs?' The panel will include: Felicity Furey, founder of Machinam; Jamin Heppell, founder of HeadQuarters Australia and Jarad Dyson, leading teacher.

Peter Strong, passionate small business advocate and CEO of COSBOA, urges small business owners to attend and take this one-off opportunity to share, learn and have your say on policy.

“COSBOA is proud to represent the interests of small businesses, the Small Business Start-Up Reception provides a valuable opportunity for small business owners to meet with key industry representatives and share personal insights into the opportunities and challenges of business ownership in the current economic climate,” said Mr Strong.

In addition, a specially curated Small Business Marketplace will showcase crucial industry suppliers and provide an opportunity for business owners to ask questions, feedback and advice for your business. Marketplace contributors include: Vodafone, Amex, Google, Spotcap, the Office of the Australian Small Business and Family Ombudsman, ATO Single Touch Payroll, Fair Work Ombudsman, ASIC, Austbrokers, Nationwide Super and Symantec.

To register for the Small Business Start-Up Reception, visit http://www.cosboansbs.com.au/welcome

Hashtag: #NSBS17

SMALL business operators have raised concerns with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) regarding the cost of sending parcels.

THE Tax and Revenue Committee is holding a public hearing in Melbourne tomorrow to explore tax engagement more broadly, covering tax professionals, commerce and academia, and householders across the community.

Committee Chair Kevin Hogan MP said the Committee will be interested to hear from Melbourne-based tax professional bodies about why so many Australians continue to rely on tax professionals to manage their tax affairs, post myTax.

An important area for review will be the way tax regulation intersects with corporate and criminal law, in the context of the black economy and tax evasion.

Professor Helen Anderson will explain the impact of phoenix activity—where businesses sequentially go bankrupt and re-form to hide profits and avoid tax obligations, on Australia’s revenue base and the competitive ‘level playing field’ for business.

Fintech payment innovator Airwallex will discuss the importance of compliance with Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism laws in the $300 billion global payment transfer market. Airwallex has developed a sophisticated client identification system to manage the risks.

The Committee will also hear from Your Life Choices, an online magazine for Australians 45 plus, about the tax and superannuation concerns of people approaching, entering or in retirement.

“Tax engagement is not just important at Tax Time each year,” Mr Hogan said. “It is also about defining the type of community you want to live in—one that offers a level playing field for business and the services that Australians expect.” 

Public hearing details: 9.30 am to 3.30pm, Tuesday 18 July 2017, Committee Room G.1, 55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne.

Please note: Members of the public attending the hearings should notify the secretariat in advance to gain entrance to the venue.

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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