NEW budget changes have been applauded by small businesses and their peak body, Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA), for providing a boost in confidence and optimism as we turn the corner towards the new financial year.

From 1 July 2015, small businesses will see their tax rate fall from the current 30 per cent to 28.5 per cent. The good news continues; with small businesses, which aren’t operated through a company, also getting a tax cut.

In addition, sole traders, or businesses which operate through a partnership, trust or other non-corporate entity will get a 5 per cent discount (in the form of a tax offset throughout the year-end tax return) on the tax payable on their profits, up to a maximum of $1000 per individual.

Yet despite these changes, which can surely only be seen as a silver lining by small businesses, Peter Strong, CEO of Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA), says there is still a way to go with providing equality and support for small business, and advises against complacency.

Mr Strong commented: “We will continue to work with the Treasurer to implement the changes needed to the tax system, which can hopefully be achieved in the tax white paper.

“We will also continue to work with Bruce Billson on changes to contract processes, competition legislation and to help bed down the new Family and Small Business Enterprise Ombudsman’s position.

“The development of a performance framework for federal regulators also provides us with the opportunity to work more closely still with key regulators so that the right compliance is achieved with the least impact on small businesses.”

Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA) hosts the Vodafone National Small Business Summit on 16 and 17 July at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney.

With a high profile line-up of guest speakers and attendees, the Summit brings together policy influencers and government leaders to meet to exchange knowledge on how to influence and make change that will contribute to the growth of small businesses in Australia.

Peter Strong, CEO of Council of Small Businesses of Australia (COSBOA) says: “Small business represents the Australian entrepreneurial spirit to allow everyone a ‘fair go’. They are the backbone of the Australian economy - impacting our people, culture, cities and communities – and as business and policy experts the Summit is our opportunity to come to together to confront the issues impacting small business.”

In 2015, small businesses will be invited to attend the inaugural Summit Start Up on Wednesday 15th July; a pre-Summit networking event where the community, culture, and diversity of small businesses will be celebrated. The Summit Start Up will be opened by Hon Bruce Billson, the Federal Small Business Minister.

Registrations are open for the Vodafone National Small Business Summit. For more information please visit www.nationalsmallbusinesssummit.com.au

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VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said his organisation welcomes the release of recommendations from the State Government’s external Review of Quality Assurance in Victoria’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) System.

"VECCI’s submission and ongoing advocacy highlighted the vital need to restore the confidence of both employers and students in the quality of Victoria’s VET system," Mr Stone said.

"It is positive to see the government’s acknowledgement of this need and the swiftness of the release and planned implementation of these recommendations."

VECCI has welcomed the direction of the reforms to:

- Enforce stricter requirements on providers entering and operating in the VET system.

VECCI has consistently called for a risk-based regulatory and compliance framework that subjects high-risk providers with a record of poor training behaviour to stricter regulatory oversight and reporting than that which low-risk providers are subjected to.

- Help students chose the right course and provider through a consumer awareness information campaign and access to independent employment pathway support.

- Provide greater transparency of poor quality training providers, including those that have had contracts terminated previously.

- Improve online information and feedback facilities for businesses, students and industry.

"However, many of the industry’s concerns with training quality stem from the abuse of the current VET funding model," Mr Stone said.

"For this reason, VECCI has called for the VET funding model to be overhauled to create a stronger alignment with employer skills needs and vocational outcomes.

"We understand these recommendations will feed into the VET Funding Review currently being undertaken and look forward to the government’s response in the near future.

"VECCI also looks forward to working with the government to implement these recommendations and those outlined in the VET Funding Review report when that is released."

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au

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NATIONAL resource industry employer group, the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA), is delighted to advise that two of Australia’s leading human resource professionals have joined its Board of Directors.

AMMA chief executive Steve Knott today welcomed the appointments of Chevron Australia General Manager – Human Resources, Kaye Butler; and Newcrest Mining Limited Executive General Manager – People and Community, Jane Thomas.

“I am pleased to welcome Kaye Butler and Jane Thomas, both recognised as among the top human resources professionals in the country, to AMMA’s Board of Directors. Their leadership and insight will further strengthen the existing AMMA Board and support our vision to ensure Australia’s resource industry is an attractive and competitive place to invest, do business and employ people,” Mr Knott says.

Kaye Butler

Kaye Butler joined Chevron Australia in 2007 and oversees people services for major energy projects including the landmark Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG developments in Western Australia. Prior to joining Chevron Australia, Ms Butler held various senior positions in the resource industry including for global aluminium producer, Alcoa.

Ms Butler says: “It is an honour to join the Board of AMMA, which has consistently been at the forefront of industry reform, especially at a time when the Australian resource industry is at a crossroads and our international competiveness is at risk. I look forward to being a member of a Board that will lead the case for policy reform to address our falling international competitiveness and productivity.”

Jane Thomas

Jane Thomas joined gold miner Newcrest in January this year. For the previous seven years Ms Thomas held the position of Group Head of People and Culture with AGL. Ms Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience in human resources in large organisations, including PepsiCo International, Westpac Banking Corporation and Philips.

Ms Thomas says: “I am passionate about achieving outcomes that ensure the Australian resource industry continues to be an attractive option for people already working in the sector, for enticing new talent to our businesses, and for ensuring companies continue to invest in their people and projects. I look forward to working with the AMMA Board on maximising the opportunities available to us.”

AMMA’s Board of Directors now comprises:

• Graeme Hunt (President) – Managing Director and CEO, Transfield Services
• Richard Owen – Chairman, ExxonMobil Australia
• Richard Weston – Executive Vice-President, Australasia Region, Gold Fields
• Johnpaul Dimech – Chief Executive Officer, Sodexo Australia
• Michael Utsler – Chief Operating Officer, Woodside Energy
• Kaye Butler – General Manager, Human Resources, Chevron
• Jane Thomas – Executive General Manager, People and Community, Newcrest.

www.amma.org.au

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THE Administration of the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements by Emergency Management Australia and the Award of Funding under the Safer Streets Program will be the focus of new inquiries  under the Parliament’s Joint Public Accounts Committee.

The new inquiries, which commenced last Friday, have been initiated as part of the committee’s role of examining Australian National Audit Office reports. Committee Chair, Dr Andrew Southcott MP, said that the committee had an important role in holding Commonwealth agencies to account.

“Grants administration is an important activity involving a significant amount of public funds each year. The Committee’s new inquiries are an opportunity to further inspect the framework supporting the administration of programs involving Commonwealth grants to improve transparency, accountability and, ultimately, public outcomes,” Dr Southcott said.

The committee is also inquiring into the Management of Smart Centres’ Centrelink Telephone Services.

Interested persons and organisations are invited to make submissions to the committee’s inquiries, addressing the terms of reference. 

Further information about the committee’s inquiries, including details on how to lodge a submission, are available on the committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa.

Public hearings will be held in the second half of the year.

The committee has selected three ANAO reports for detailed review:
• No. 34 of (2014-15) Administration of the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements by Emergency Management Australia
• No. 37 of (2014-15) Management of Smart Centres’ Centrelink Telephone Services
• No. 41 of (2014-15) The Award of Funding under the Safer Streets Programme

For information about the inquiry and public hearing: please contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4615, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the committee website http://www.aph.gov.au/jcpaa.

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