AN INQUIRY investigating payment times and practices in Australia is in full swing with preliminary findings confirming that big businesses and some governments are taking longer than ever to pay small businesses.

Early results from the Inquiry – which is being conducted by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) in partnership with state-based Small Business Commissioners (SBCs), the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA), the Australian Institute of Credit Management (AICM) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) – has found almost 50 percent of small businesses experience late payments on at least half of the bills owed to them.

The Inquiry has also found the practice of late payments is getting worse, with around 60 per cent of small businesses reporting an increase in the trend over the past 12 months.

Almost 70 percent report that the practice has reduced business profitability, with many business owners acknowledging it has a serious impact on their mental health given the added stress and anxiety late payments – and the associated cash-flow problems – can trigger.

Based on the Inquiry survey data, it’s becoming quite clear that big businesses – particularly large multi-nationals – are exploiting the power imbalance that exists in their relationship with small business people who simply aren’t in a position to argue for better payment terms – or to demand immediate payment – for fear of destroying their relationship with the larger company.

The Inquiry has also found the practice is not limited to one sector, with the impact of extended and late payments rippling through the entire economy.

Small businesses have until the end of February to have their say. Those who would like to contribute to the Inquiry can do so by completing a survey which can be found at: www.asbfeo.gov.au. 

An Inquiry Issues Paper is also available on the website.  Those wishing to provide feedback on the Issues Paper can do so by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by contacting the SBC in their state.

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PARLIAMENT'S Northern Australia Committee will hold the first public hearing for its inquiry into Opportunities and Methods for Stimulating the Tourism Industry in Northern Australia on Friday, February 17, 2017 in Parliament House, Canberra.

Following the Australian Government’s 2015 White Paper on developing Northern Australia, the Government announced in February 2016 the Northern Australia Tourism Initiative.

he Initiative includes the Entrepreneurs’ Programme for Tourism, Northern Australia which is designed to help businesses commercialise novel products, processes and services as well as improve their productivity and competitiveness.

The Committee Chair, Warren Entsch MP, stated, ‘Broadening the experience offered to international and domestic visitors to Northern Australia will help to increase visitor numbers and the duration of their stay, thereby boosting the regional economy. The Entrepreneurs’ Programme has an important part to play in allowing tourism operators to tap into the wealth of potential tourist experiences offered in Northern Australia.’

The Committee will receive evidence from the Entrepreneurs’ Programme for Tourism, Northern Australia as well as several government agencies involved in facilitating tourism in Northern Australia.

The hearing program and further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the terms of reference is available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/jscna.

Public Hearing Details: 8am to 10:50am, Friday February 17, Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will also be webcast at www.aph.gov.au/live.

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

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THE House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources has begun an inquiry into water use efficiency.

Australia is spending record amounts to modernise its irrigation infrastructure in an effort to make agricultural water use more efficient and increase the amount of water available for environmental flows.

Committee Chair Mr Rick Wilson MP said that the Committee’s inquiry will focus on the benefits these upgrade programs provide for irrigators as well as the value for money they represent, and will also seek to identify any areas where resources may be better directed.

“The agricultural sector is obviously very important to the Australian economy and irrigated agriculture is a big part of that,” Mr Wilson said. “The Committee wants to make sure that Australia is getting the best outcomes from these programs that we possibly can.”

The Committee will be accepting submissions to the inquiry until 31 March 2017.

The inquiry will focus on:

• the adequacy and efficacy of current programs in achieving irrigation water use efficiencies,
• how existing expenditure provides value for money for the Commonwealth,
• possible improvements to programs, their administration and delivery, and
• other matters, including, but not limited to, maintaining or increasing agricultural production, consideration of environmental flows, and adoption of world's best practice.

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

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts has received an inquiry into the Australian Film and Television Industry and is calling for submissions.

The inquiry’s Terms of Reference are:

Factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Australian film and television industry.

Committee Chair, Mr Luke Howarth MP said: “the committee wants to hear how Australian independent filmmakers, and major film and TV companies can expand and better compete for investment with producers and multi-platform production companies from overseas.”

“We also want to hear from investors and the industries that support local production, for example: digital animators and editors, and sound and set production companies,” Mr Howarth said.

Screen Australia’s Drama Report (2015-16) notes that Australian films have recently performed the strongest in more than a decade, with four titles each earning over $10 million (including: Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dressmaker, Oddball and The Water Diviner) and contributing 7.2 percent to total box office sales.

Screen Australia’s report also suggests that 2015 was a standout year for Australian films – well up on the previous year, when the share was 2.4 per cent, and above the 10-year average of 4.3 per cent.

Mr Howarth added: “As a committee, we believe Australian film and TV can be more competitive, and we will be investigating ways the Australian industry can grow sustainably.”

Submissions are being sought by Friday, March 31, 2017, and can be made online through the webpage: www.aph.gov.au/FilmTV or emailed to the secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Inquiry updates, submissions and public hearing transcripts will be published on the webpage as the inquiry progresses.

Website: www.aph.gov.au/FilmTV

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

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