THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell is concerned by reports many small businesses may not be applying for the JobKeeper payment because they can’t pay staff by April 30.

“Small businesses that believe they are eligible to apply for JobKeeper really must do so quickly,” Ms Carnell said.

“There have been reports that some small businesses, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors, have not applied for JobKeeper because they cannot pay $1,500 for each eligible staff member per fortnight.

“The big four banks have established JobKeeper help lines that are dedicated to this issue alone. There are lines of credit that are readily available so that you can pay your staff in the lead up to the initial payment from the ATO at the start of May, which will be a month in arrears.

“The banks are promising to fast-track these applications, so you can get the necessary funds you need to pay your staff," Ms Carnell said.

“It’s especially critical that small businesses that are struggling to pay their rent apply for the JobKeeper payment for their staff because you are only covered by the Mandatory Commercial Tenancy Code of Conduct if you are using JobKeeper. This may be essential to your business’ survival.

“Above all, we want to see small business survive this difficult time, so they can thrive on the other side. JobKeeper provides the practical financial support small businesses need as we wait for this health crisis to pass.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will scrutinise the insurance sector over two days of hearings by videoconference on 28 and 29 April 2020, as part of its ongoing review of the four major banks and other financial institutions.

The chair of the committee, Tim Wilson MP, said, "These hearings are an important mechanism for the Parliament to publicly scrutinise and hold Australia’s insurance sector to account.

"Insurance is an essential way that Australians and Australian businesses manage risk and protect themselves from financial loss after disaster strikes. Australians must be able to rely on the insurance sector to provide high-quality policies and respond quickly when claims are made.

"Given the widespread misconduct in the insurance sector identified by the Hayne Royal Commission, it is important that insurers and those in the industry are held accountable to ensure that they are making the crucial improvements needed to restore trust in the sector.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has also raised a number of relevant issues relating to policy coverage ranging from travel insurance, landlord insurance and income protection that also need to be explored."

Public hearing details

The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell has welcomed the Queensland Government’s decision to appoint a temporary Small Business Commissioner.

The new role, to be taken up by the current Queensland Small Business Champion Maree Adshead, will give small businesses a single point of contact for commercial leasing disputes, many of which have arisen as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Maree has done fantastic work as the Queensland Small Business Champion and she’s certainly the right person for this important job,” Ms Carnell said.

“Many small businesses are reaching out for assistance with disputes over commercial lease arrangements because of the financial hardship they are experiencing during this difficult time.

“By creating this role, small businesses in Queensland will have the support they need to negotiate a fair outcome with their landlord, under the guidance of the Mandatory Commercial Tenancy Code of Conduct.

“It’s vital, especially in this time of crisis, there is a full-time small business commissioner with the necessary powers to meet the needs of small businesses.

“Alternative dispute resolution is far more cost-effective, time and resource-saving for small businesses than the court system, so I would encourage Queensland small businesses to access these free services if they need to," Ms Carnell said.

“While this Small Business Commissioner role is only temporarily in place for the remainder of the year, my office believes there is good reason to make this an ongoing service to the small business community in Queensland.

“In the meantime, we congratulate Maree Adshead on taking this role in the interim.” 

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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THE City of Melbourne has awarded the first tranche of grants as part of its financial support package to help businesses adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.

The $5 million grants program provides financial support for businesses to invest in online and e-commerce capabilities, take part in training and professional development and undertake capital works.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said 36 successful applicants will share in the first $166,000 of funding with the remaining $4.83 million to be allocated as soon as possible.

“This is just the beginning of our investment in Melbourne’s business community. Small businesses make up about 80 per cent of the total number of businesses in the City of Melbourne and are run by people and families who have turned an idea or a passion into an enterprise,” Lord Mayor Capp said.

“These businesses play a major role in providing jobs for Melburnians, and right now, they urgently need our support.

“We have received an overwhelming response to this grants program with thousands of small and medium-sized businesses applying for financial support.

“This goes to show that even in tough times, our local businesses are ready to tackle challenges head on, think differently and adapt, which is an admirable spirit we want to reward and support as much as we can.”

Highlights from the first batch of successful applicants include:

• A barbeque and wood fired cooking school based at Queen Victoria Market planning to offer online bookings and virtual classes
• A school holiday program planning to deliver virtual school programs to support parents
• An art gallery seeking to introduce virtual exhibitions and online purchasing
• A dumpling restaurant pivoting to take-away and delivery

Chair of the Small Business, Retail and Hospitality portfolio, Councillor Susan Riley said applications have been received from a broad range of industries with hospitality, retail, professional services, education and business services making up the top five.

“There has been an exceptionally high volume of requests and we are working through applications continuously so successful businesses can invest in making changes to keep their services running and people employed,” Cr Riley said.

“We have a community of entrepreneurial business owners who want to make changes so they can keep trading in this new environment.

“Undertaking a website upgrade or installing some new equipment could be what is needed to keep operating.

“The strength of our business community will help return our city to a thriving place to do business and these grants will provide crucial funding that will make a difference now, and into the recovery period.”

The COVID-19 business grants opened on 26 March 2020 with $5 million in funding available for 200 grants matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 for capital works projects, 400 grants worth up to $5000 for online and e-commerce activities, and 500 grants worth up to $2000 for training and professional development.

The business grants will close at midday on Friday 24 April 2020 melbourne.smartygrants.com.au

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TENANTS Queensland (TQ) has welcomed the release of regulations governing COVID affected tenancies, bringing clarity and relief to many but says it was a ‘missed opportunity’ at the same time.

TQ CEO Penny Carr said protecting renters in rent arrears from eviction is a very positive step and the clear process for resolving rent disputes will help landlords and tenants alike navigate the challenges.

The inclusion of rooming accommodation residents in protections is also well received. However, the organisation believes the Queensland Government missed an opportunity to fully protect tenants from rogue agents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In instances where negotiation fails, rent disputes may be drawn out while rent debts mount, and ending tenancies for hardship will become more difficult," Ms Carr said.

“The new criteria set for tenants to immediately end tenancies is so stringent that few, if any, will be able to use it, while the usual process of pleading an early end to the tenancy for hardship has been extended,” she said.

“In contrast, landlords’ hardship applications will still proceed straight to QCAT and landlords will have a range of new grounds with which to evict renters. These include telling a tenant to leave during a fixed-term agreement because the landlord wants to prepare the place for sale.

“For the lessor to simply say end an agreement to prepare the place for sale, despite the tenant having a fixed-term agreement, is unreasonable and brings greater instability to people’s tenancies.

“This is disappointing. The legislation was meant to protect tenants from rogue agents but now has the potential to create more movement during a public health crisis.”

Ms Carr, who heads the state’s leading tenant advisory service, said her organisation was receiving hundreds of calls from renters seeking clarification about whether they will get a rent reductions or if they can leave quickly so they don’t’ rack up a rent debt.

Ms Carr said she welcomed the opportunity to have oversight of the new laws as part of the Ministerial Housing Council’s Housing Security Sub-committee and looks forward to working with the government to monitor the situation.

About Tenants Queensland

Tenants Queensland (TQ) is a specialist community legal centre that provides a free advice and referral service for residential tenants in Queensland through its flagship QSTARS program. TQ aims to protect and improve the rights of residential tenants in Queensland, particularly those who are economically or socially disadvantaged.   www.tenantsqld.gov.au.

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WITH COVID-19 restrictions set to be eased over coming weeks, the fitness industry is ready with a robust re-opening framework developed to ensure gyms and exercise facilities can be among the first to reopen while ensuring the health and safety of members and employees.

Since gyms closed a month ago, Fitness Australia, the industry’s peak body, has been working with government authorities, industry stakeholders and international counterparts, including UK Active, IHRSA, Exercise NZ and the World Health Organization, to develop a comprehensive framework for the safe reopening of gyms.

Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said the industry is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of everyone so gyms can reopen sooner rather than later as reported.

“The fitness industry, like all Australians, want to ensure there is no further spread of COVID-19 as restrictions are slowly eased back. However, there’s no reason why gyms can’t be one of the first sectors to reopen,” Mr Elvish said.

“We believe gyms can safely reopen with social distancing and hygiene requirements in place, which is why we have prepared a strict reopening framework for all fitness facilities and personal trainers.

“Our framework includes a range of guidelines from temperature checking on arrival, high frequency cleaning and sanitation, spacing of equipment through to PPE for employees and members, reduced capacity for classes and outdoor fitness considerations.

“Unlike other establishments such as bars, restaurants and retail outlets, gyms also have a key advantage when it comes to instant contact tracking, with all members having to swipe in and out or book in for a class. Should it be necessary, no other industry has the ability to provide to health authorities this real time data.

“The industry is committed and onboard to do whatever is needed to reopen. We all want to ensure gym members and employees have the peace of mind to safely return to the gym, do a workout or take part in a group glass.”

Mr Elvish said the role exercise plays in our overall health and mental wellbeing cannot be underestimated and it will become more apparent as restrictions are eased back.

“Gyms and the broader fitness industry will have a vital role in ensuring the ongoing health and wellbeing of Australians during and following COVID-19,” Mr Elvish said.

“During the important phase of isolation, there has been a drastic increase in demand for mental health services such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue as well as a steep increase in alcohol consumption and online gambling.

“This coupled with people being less active has the potential to not only affect the long-term health of our whole community but also future Health Budget outlays.

“Exercise and a regular fitness routine play a very important role in maintaining an individual’s immune system and their overall physical and mental health.”

www.fitness.org.au

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MASTER BUILDERS Australia has warned that recent building industry job losses show government stimulus is needed.

“The 5.3 percent fall in the number of building and construction industry jobs revealed in the last six weeks shown in data released by the ABS is alarming and reinforces the need for immediate government stimulus measures,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said. 

“Stimulus can’t wait because jobs are being lost now and we need to protect the livelihoods of the 1.2 million people employed by the industry around the country and the viability of the nearly 400,000 building and construction businesses that pay their wages.

“Results of a new Master Builders survey of its members shows that 73 percent have seen a substantial fall in forward work on their books of 40 percent on average,” Ms Wawn said. 

“Governments must act now because while many builders and tradies are getting by on work that commenced prior to the onset of COVID-19 that work is fast running out and new orders have fallen off a cliff.

“This is a dangerous situation not only for the industry and the people we employ but for the country. The Treasurer and the Governor of the Reserve Bank have spoken of building a bridge to economic recovery, but no bridge will be built literally or figuratively if the building and construction industry is on its knees,” Ms Wawn said. 

“The housing sector was vital in helping Australia to recover from the last major economic shock of the GFC but the impact of COVID-19 is hitting particularly hard right now. We want to see measures such as the expansion of the numbers and eligibility of the Federal Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme to include anyone wanting to build a new home to help home builders keep their doors open and tackle the nation’s under-supply of housing,” she said. 

“Our clear message to governments is that while we commend current measures to support business and jobs more is immediately needed. Construction contractors need federal, state and territory governments to accelerate the construction of social, defence and transport infrastructure.

“State and Territory governments must provide their infrastructure planning agencies with more resources so that actual construction work can commence, and Federal Government payments can be made, and money enter the economy.

“As the nation continues to be successful in tackling the health emergency posed by COVID-19 with measures to suppress its spread in the community, the focus of governments is increasingly on the measures needed to meet the resulting economic emergency. However, governments must recognise that stimulus measures cannot be deferred until social restrictions are eased, nor can they only be future focused,” Ms Wawn said. 

“They must be put in place now so that the industry is in a position to drive the future economic growth necessary for a recovery in our economy and living standards."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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UNIONS are urging the Australian Government to deliver genuine fuel security to the nation by taking advantage of a unique opportunity to create a domestic fuel stockpile at a fraction of the normal cost, as the COVID-19 pandemic causes a collapse in global oil prices.

The Maritime Union of Australia and Australian Workers Union said the current crisis was not only a wake-up call — demonstrating how quickly global supply chains can break down in a crisis — but also an unprecedented opportunity to develop a strategic fuel reserve on Australian soil.

Oil prices in the United States have gone negative for the first time in history as producers run out of space to store excess supplies, while international benchmark Brent crude has dropped to its lowest price in nearly two decades.

MUA assistant national secretary Ian Bray said the COVID-19 crisis was both a warning and an unprecedented opportunity to improve Australia’s resilience.

“This pandemic has exposed how vulnerable Australia’s supply chains are, how quickly an unforeseen crisis can develop that drastically impacts global trade, and how important it is to have stockpiles of essential products on Australian soil,” Mr Bray said.

“More than 90 percent of our liquid fuel comes from overseas, we have less than three weeks worth of supplies in the country at any point in time, yet without fuel our economy would grind to a halt.

“Instead of tapping into the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve — with no plan to transport that fuel to Australia if needed in a crisis — the Morrison Government should take advantage of the unprecedented collapse in oil prices to build our own domestic fuel stockpile.

“The government should also commence the process of developing a strategic fleet that includes Australian-owned oil tankers, ensuring supplies can keep flowing during times of crisis.

“Instead of viewing the International Energy Agency’s 90-day fuel stockholding obligation as a technicality that needs to be ticked off, Energy Minister Angus Taylor should take steps to deliver genuine fuel security with a readily-accessible government-owned stockpile on Australian soil.

“As an island nation reliant on sea-borne trade, we are highly susceptible to disruptions caused by pandemics, military conflict, economic crisis, and natural disasters, which is why a strategic shipping fleet and domestic fuel stockpile are vital for delivering genuine fuel security to the nation.”

AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said the Australian Government must learn from the current crisis to ensure the country was ready for future global emergencies.

“For Australia to meaningfully address our fuel security problem we need to approach the challenge from two angles simultaneously: boosting our internal liquid fuel stockpile and ramping up our domestic fuel refining capacity,” Mr Walton said.

“If we take advantage of this current crisis to achieve both of these things then we will not be so vulnerable if the next global emergency threatens our fuel imports.”

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