In response to the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook report released on Tuesday, Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) is calling on Joe Hockey to keep tax breaks in place for Small Business to help keep the economy moving and rebuild tax receipts.

COSBOA is pleased with the attention that Small Business has received in 2013 but this positive sentiment needs to be matched with action and policy. Recently, the coalition said that it would repeal some of the former Labour Government’s tax concessions including the loss carry-back and instant tax write offs.

Speaking at the National Press Club, the Treasurer announced that a deficit in June 2014 was expected to reach $47 million and said that unless the Government took immediate action, Australia would be in debt for more than a decade.

Peter Strong, Executive Director of COSBOA said: “We need the Government to keep the current tax breaks for Small Business in place. A saving in the budget from removing these measures will not impact the budget greatly and will affect the confidence of Small Business people, which will be counterproductive for the economy.

“Small Business confidence lifted following the election but we need the government to maintain that confidence, deliver on promises and provide much needed support.

“While the Government has clearly acknowledged the contribution and value of Small Business, the removal of much needed tax support sends a mixed message,” Mr Strong added.

With the budget deficit now forecast, COSBOA urges the Government to develop a cohesive long term plan for the economy that includes Small Business people and supports their capacity to innovate and increase productivity.

COSBOA will continue to work with the Business Council of Australia (BCA) in 2014 following the release of their Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity, which has identified nine policy areas and 93 recommendations that aim to maintain strong economic growth, restore Australia’s competitiveness, lift productivity and support businesses.

“The BCA Action Plan is a good start to a national plan for securing the future of our country. We also need the Government to articulate what they intend to do and how they will engage and assist business people in local communities to build strong micro-economies around the nation.

“Our economy is not one homogenous entity consisting of only big business, but is made up of hundreds of small economies built around communities and industry sectors. If these micro-economies are healthy then the national economy will also prosper,” Mr Strong concluded.

www.cosboa.org.au

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VICTORIA’s peak tourism and events body is eagerly anticipating the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel’s upcoming opening, saying it will provide tourists and locals with a wonderful new way to experience Melbourne.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council’s (VTIC) comments come as the Star prepares to host its first passengers at 12pm today.

“We’re delighted to see the Star opening as it provides a new perspective on our great city and a wonderful experience for passengers at the vibrant Docklands precinct,” says VTIC Chief Executive Dianne Smith.

“The attraction has something for everyone and appeals to people of all ages and nationalities. With the 1500-person capacity Star Piazza at the Wheel’s base, it is also a drawcard for business events.”

The 21-cabin observation wheel enables views of up to 40 kilometres from the Docklands site.

“The views showcase Melbourne’s diversity, as visitors see the CBD, our expansive parks, Port Phillip Bay and as far as Mount Macedon and the Dandenong Ranges,” Ms Smith says.

“The Star is yet another reason to visit our wonderful city and we expect it will attract both first-time visitors and regular guests who keep coming back to discover more.

“It also provides a valuable opportunity for visitors to learn about other aspects of Melbourne, as there is a pre-boarding display and story panels, as well as cabin audio.

"The Star promotes the history, culture and many other features of modern Melbourne, which will have a significant flow-on effect for the rest of the tourism industry.”

s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice. Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute $19.1 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 201,000 people.

www.vtic.com.au 

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Singapore Airlines (SIA) has unveiled its new-concept SilverKris Lounge in Sydney, as part of a multi-million dollar investment programme to upgrade all of the Airline’s airport lounges around the world.

Designed by renowned architectural and interior design firm ONG&ONG, the new-concept SilverKris Lounge is thoughtfully designed and modelled after elements of a home, following extensive research that included focus groups with customers.

The new design concept will be progressively introduced to all of SIA's SilverKris Lounges in 15 cities over the next five years at an estimated cost of around $100 million.

Following renovation of the Sydney lounge, which has just been completed, planning work is underway to upgrade lounges at London, Hong Kong and Singapore (Terminal 3) in 2014.

Lounge customers can look forward to distinct personal spaces that provide a sense of ‘being home’, as well as more personalised services from lounge staff and a delectable selection of food and beverages to complement SIA's in-flight offerings.

"Our customers frequently tell us that they have a feeling of ‘home’ as soon as they board our aircraft, and our aim is to extend this experience to the ground. Through our new 'home away from home' concept, the intention is for our customers to experience the feeling of being taken care of at every step of their journey," said Mr Tan Pee Teck, Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Product & Services.

"Each space is thoughtfully designed to create the ambiance of ‘home’ that is familiar and comforting, adding to the warm, authentic and personalised service that Singapore Airlines is well known for."

First introduced in Sydney, the new 'home' concept SilverKris Lounge showcases SIA's unique heritage distinguished by a customised batik design screen in the welcome foyer that customers can recognise from afar.

Inside, the lounge features tastefully selected art pieces, sourced locally and from Singapore.

Customers can make use of personal spaces tailored for different needs, ranging from a living room, kitchen and dining room to intimate coves for rest and relaxation.

Specially designed productivity pods will enable customers to work in privacy and comfort before their flight, while signature SIA armchairs will be a new feature at all refurbished SilverKris Lounges.

A familiar ‘taste of Singapore’ concept will also be progressively introduced at all SilverKris Lounges, with iconic dishes from Singapore such as laksa and mee siam offered alongside delectable food choices from around the world and a wide range of premium wines and spirits.

To complete the ‘home’ experience, Passenger Relations Officers, trained to deliver the personal SIA touch, will be on hand to host each customer and assist with their travel needs.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is Australia's largest foreign carrier and operates 121 weekly services from the following cities, representing an 18% increase since 2011. The flights have been scheduled to offer seamless connectivity between Australia and the airline’s global network of 107 destinations in 39 countries:

• Sydney 4 flights daily Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300 & 777-200ER aircraft
• Melbourne 4 flights daily Airbus A380 & A330 and Boeing 777-300 & 777-300ER
• Perth 4 flights daily Airbus A330 and Boeing 777-200
• Brisbane 3 flights daily Airbus A330
• Adelaide 12 flights weekly Airbus A330
• Darwin 4 flights weekly Airbus A320/A319 (operated by SilkAir, the regional wing of SIA)

In 2013, the airline unveiled its US$150m investment in the next generation of First / Business / Economy class seats to be featured on eight new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the first of which began service in September. The seats come complete with Panasonic’s new eX3 in-flight entertainment system, of which SIA is the launch customer.

SIA has also unveiled a suite of competitive products to drive greater value for Australian customers, including S$40 vouchers for customers transiting through Changi, an expanded Singapore Stopover Holiday package, as well as regular promotional fares for customers across Australia.

The roll out of the alliance with Virgin Australia continues, with SIA codeshare to 39 domestic destinations and VA codeshare and interline to a total of 89 destinations across the SilkAir/Singapore Airlines network. The airline owns a 19.9% stake in Virgin Australia.

The Group has 197 aircraft on firm order and planned capital expenditure of S$14.25 billion over the next five years. Singapore Airlines operates a modern passenger fleet of 99 aircraft with an average age of 6 years 7 months, SilkAir operates 24 modern aircraft with an average age of 6 years 9 months and Singapore Airlines Cargo operates 9 747-400 freighter aircraft with an average age of 11 years 11 months.

www.singaporeair.com

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Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and research partner Roy Morgan Research said shoppers were expected to spend $15.1 billion during post-Christmas sales from Boxing Day through to mid January – an estimated two percent rise on last year’s predicted sales of $14.8 billion.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said last year’s post-Christmas predicted sales ($14.8 billion) were almost spot on, with the actual figure confirmed only slightly lower at $14.6 billion.

“Based on the actual figure of 14.6 billion, we now see an even larger percentage growth year on year at 3.8 percent – a positive sign for the retail sector.

“Looking at the actual post-Christmas sales figures for 2012 and this year’s post Christmas predictions, cafes show the highest level of growth at 6.2 percent. Apparel (3.9 percent) and food (3.8 percent) are also set to experience a small but significant jump in post-Christmas sales, indicating that gift buying will be replaced by shoppers splurging on items for themselves, updating their summer wardrobes and dining out.

“It is also great to see all states and territories predicted to experience positive growth this post-Christmas period, ranging from 2 percent (Western Australia) to 6.1 percent (Northern Territory).

“As we know, the festive sales period doesn’t just continue in the stores; there are also many shoppers who will be enjoying the sales from their lounge rooms. Some retailers are expected to start their Boxing Day sales as early as Christmas Eve.

“The decision to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.5 percent in December is definitely an obstacle for retailers trying to get back on track financially over the Christmas period, and the ARA is looking forward to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reassessing the outlook when it meets again in February 2014.

“We believe there is room for further adjustment on the cash rate, and while a favourable decision in February will be too late to encourage Christmas spending, this adjustment would certainly allow retailers to start their new year with confidence,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $258 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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