FOLLOWING the launch of the IPA Deakin SME Research Centre last week, the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has said that the mental health and wellbeing of small business owners will be included in the Centre’s policy focus.

“Small business keeps our economy moving; they sustain our communities and families and we have an obligation to understand their drivers, their challenges and assist them realise their potential,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

“Running a small business is tough; it is all-consuming. Small business owners have everything on the line and that brings with it real anxiety. This contributes to the existing high rates of depression amongst small business owners.

“We need to delve into the social impact of small business ownership to arrive at a day when starting a small business is seen as a natural and viable first option career path for younger people. 

“The IPA Deakin SME Research Centre will explore small business welfare and the social impact with the intention of driving policy that supports the wellbeing, growth and prosperity of small businesses,” said Mr Conway.

publicaccountants.org.au

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AUSTRALIA’s national resource industry employer group, AMMA, is urging Senate crossbenchers to rise above the union-influenced ALP/Greens/Lambie alliance and do what is in the national interest by voting to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and create a new Registered Organisations Commission.

“While the ALP, Greens and Jacqui Lambie have made it clear they won’t support these critical bills, all other crossbench Senators must not be influenced by this lack of objectivity when casting their votes next week,” says AMMA chief executive Steve Knott.

“The resource industry calls on crossbench Senators to instead hold themselves to a higher standard and not ‘walk past and accept’ the well documented unlawful intimidation and thuggery that is occurring in the construction sector.

“Voting to restore the ABCC and establish a Registered Organisations Commission will allow employers and employees to get on with the job, safe in the knowledge that they won’t be targeted by unlawful union industrial tactics or have their work and livelihoods affected by sub-standard, improper or plain corrupt union governance practices.”

ABCC Bill

“Restoring an effective industry watchdog is critical to cleaning up the intimidation, thuggery and outright lawlessness that has re-established an insidious foothold in the building industry,” Mr Knott says.

“Since Labor unceremoniously abolished the ABCC in 2012, productivity in the sector has suffered with days lost to industrial action having increased by 34 per cent.

“The cost of this is borne by Australian taxpayers, mums and dads, and the wider community that is forced to pay well over the odds to build schools, hospitals and other critical community and productive infrastructure.

“The only beneficiaries of turning a blind eye to wilful thuggery and lawlessness are militant union officials and other groups acting in their self-interests. Only a restored ABCC can stamp out such unacceptable and damaging conduct.  

“Australia’s resource employers also welcome the bill’s proposed new rules around unlawful picketing, holding unions more accountable for member conduct, and the extension of the ABCC’s coverage to critically important offshore construction.”

Registered Organisations Bill

“The Registered Organisations Commission will lift standards of governance and accountability in Australia’s employer groups and trade unions, and respond to community and member demands for more effective regulation of registered industrial organisations,” Mr Knott says.

“Increased maximum penalties for registered organisations and their officials will provide a more effective deterrent against the misuse of members’ hard-earned contributions.

“If such measures were in place years ago, this would have helped to avoid scandals such as that involving the Health Services Union that exposed union officials for doing anything but representing and advancing the interests of their members.

“The resource industry urges all Senators to ensure all Australian trade unions operate lawfully and transparently by voting in favour of these two critical workplace relations reforms.”

www.amma.org.au

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THE Institute of Public Accountants will be holding its National Congress from November 23 to 25.

Venue is the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne.

The official opening address on Thursday, November 24, will be by IPA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Conway.

Keynote speakers at the IPA National Congress include: 

• David Morrison AO, Australian of the Year
• Steve Price, Media Commentator
• Richard Grimes, President, International Federation of Accountants
• Kevin Sheedy, AFL Legend

Other presenters include:

Dr Michael Schaper (Deputy Chair, ACCC); Matthew Drennan (Group Head of Research, IOOF); Sandra Ragg (Assistant Director Cyber Policy, Office of the Prime Minister); Amanda Falconer (Talking Brand); Susan Young (principal, Susan young Tax Training); Sam Allert (Reckon); and many more.

Further details of the conference program can be found at:

http://www.publicaccountants.org.au/events-and-training/conferences

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THE PAYMENT practices of big businesses and governments across the country will be put under the microscope by Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell during an inquiry aimed at weeding-out patterns of behaviour that are undermining the financial viability of small businesses and putting pressure on the entire economy.

The ‘Payment Times and Practices’ Inquiry is the first self-initiated inquiry undertaken by the ASBFEO.  It will be led by the ASBFEO in partnership with state-based Small Business Commissioners in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and will be carried out in association with the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) and the Australian Institute of Credit Management (AICM).

The Inquiry will also seek input from federal and state/territory governments and their agencies.

Anecdotally, small businesses are reporting that some large businesses are taking longer than ever to pay their bills; this Inquiry aims to establish an accurate picture of the trends that have emerged in recent years surrounding the commercial arrangements between large and small businesses, as well as governments and small enterprises.

The Inquiry will assess the impacts these trends are having and will identify practical solutions – including possible regulatory and market-based responses – that can be implemented quickly and effectively to help address identified problem areas.

The Inquiry will seek input from businesses and other industry stakeholders through submissions, an online survey as well as through public consultations, with the final report expected in March 2017.

One of the number one issues impacting small business productivity here in Australia is unfair payment practices – specifically late payments – with some research suggesting Australia lags well behind the rest of the world when it comes to paying invoices on time.

Cash flow is king to small business; late payments can be the difference between success and insolvency so it’s vital these sorts of unfair payment practices are stamped-out to ensure small businesses can reach their full potential, and in doing so, continue to contribute substantially to the overall health of the national economy.

Inquiry Terms of Reference are available at www.asbfeo.gov.au/inquiries.  Small businesses who would like to have their say can do so at the above website or by phoning 1300 650 460. 

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