THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) have entered into a new service agreement which will extend further benefits to their respective membership bases and importantly, strengthen their shared voice on behalf of small business.

The two organisations have shared office accommodation at 555 Lonsdale Street Melbourne since 2009.

“When the IPA formed the IPA Group at the end of 2014, making it the largest SME focused accounting organisation in the world, it was always our intention to expand to drive positive outcomes for the small business sector,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway. 

“This new agreement with the AAT will enhance the IPA and AAT’s capacity to work more closely together to provide end to end service for the sector.

“We continue our advocacy effort on behalf of small business in Australia and other jurisdictions including Asia and the UK.

“Recognising the value that accounting technicians bring to the SME sector, we believe that AAT members have a natural place within the accounting profession and the IPA family.

“We will be working with AAT to extend new member benefits which will include: further education pathways; access to continuous professional development; discussion groups and networking opportunities; technical advice; and, ongoing advocacy that works in the best interests of members and small business.

“For accounting technicians and professional bookkeepers, this includes a pathway to the IPA’s professional program; a fully-fledged Master of Business through Deakin University. 

This program will mean that members can broaden their education and skill base, enabling them to diversify and grow their businesses,” said Mr Conway.

 publicaccountants.org.au

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THE Tax and Revenue Committee is holding a public hearing in Melbourne tomorrow to explore tax engagement more broadly, covering tax professionals, commerce and academia, and householders across the community.

Committee Chair Kevin Hogan MP said the Committee will be interested to hear from Melbourne-based tax professional bodies about why so many Australians continue to rely on tax professionals to manage their tax affairs, post myTax.

An important area for review will be the way tax regulation intersects with corporate and criminal law, in the context of the black economy and tax evasion.

Professor Helen Anderson will explain the impact of phoenix activity—where businesses sequentially go bankrupt and re-form to hide profits and avoid tax obligations, on Australia’s revenue base and the competitive ‘level playing field’ for business.

Fintech payment innovator Airwallex will discuss the importance of compliance with Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism laws in the $300 billion global payment transfer market. Airwallex has developed a sophisticated client identification system to manage the risks.

The Committee will also hear from Your Life Choices, an online magazine for Australians 45 plus, about the tax and superannuation concerns of people approaching, entering or in retirement.

“Tax engagement is not just important at Tax Time each year,” Mr Hogan said. “It is also about defining the type of community you want to live in—one that offers a level playing field for business and the services that Australians expect.” 

Public hearing details: 9.30 am to 3.30pm, Tuesday 18 July 2017, Committee Room G.1, 55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne.

Please note: Members of the public attending the hearings should notify the secretariat in advance to gain entrance to the venue.

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

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

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AS 2017 National Farm Safety Week gets underway, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, has encouraged farmers and rural workers to keep their safety, health and wellbeing front and centre all year round.

​"Agriculture is the biggest employer in our rural and regional communities, so farm safety should be a priority for everyone in the sector," Minister Hartsuyker said.

"From vehicular and tractor safety, to working with chemicals and animals, to dealing with stress and mental health issues or the safety of older farmers and children—farming can be a high risk job.

"National Farm Safety Week is an important opportunity to start a dialogue—both at home and in the workplace­—across the farming sector and in regional communities.   

"While the government will continue to work closely with industry and peak work safe bodies to address farm safety, it is everybody's responsibility to ensure farm health and safety is treated as a priority and that proactive steps are taken to recognise warning signs and mitigate any risks.

"One of 2017 National Farm Safety Week's main focuses is quad and vehicle safety, given tractors, other machinery and quad bikes are the leading causes of deaths on farms.

"In 2016, quad bikes accounted for the highest number of overall agricultural deaths and injuries. Tragically, already this year we have seen a number of farmers killed while riding quad bikes.

"This is why the Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to improve quad bike safety to create a safer working environment for all farmers and rural workers."

Now in its 19th year, this year's National Farm Safety Week will take place from July 17–21, with a theme of 'creating a resilient, safe and healthy ag community'.

National Farm Safety Week is an initiative of FarmSafe Australia, with the aim of raising awareness and reducing deaths and injuries associated with health and safety risks on farms.

For more information on 2017 National Farm Safety Week visit farmsafe.org.au/Farm-Safety-Week.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will conduct public hearings over two days in Sydney this week as part of its inquiry into factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of Australia’s film and television industry.

The Chair of the committee, Luke Howarth MP, stated that "we will be hearing from some of the biggest players in the industry this week in Sydney including Australia’s most well-known production companies, commercial television channels, key industry bodies and Screen Australia".

‘The Committee is looking forward to hearing from key participants in our film and television industry who make vital contributions to Australia’s economy and culture’ added Mr Howarth.     

Public hearing details:

Day 1: 9:15am to 4:45pm, Wednesday 19 July 2017, Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament, 6 Macquarie St , Sydney

9.15am       Screen Australia
10.15am      Fox Studios Australia
11.00am     Warner Bros
11.30am      Screen Producers Australia
1.15pm        Australian Directors’ Guild
1.45pm       Australian Screen Editors
2.15pm       Australian Film and TV Bodies
3.15pm       Australian Subscr TV & Radio Assn
3.45pm       Australian Writers’ Guild
4.15pm       Animal Logic
4.45pm       Finish

Day 2: 9:15am to 4:15pm, Thursday 20 July 2017, Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney

9.15am       Create NSW
10.00am     MEAA
10.45am     Win, Southern Cross & Prime
11.30am      Seven West Media
12.00pm     Network Ten Pty Ltd
1.15pm        Nine Entertainment Co.
1.45pm       Free TV Australia
2.30pm      Ausfilm
3.15pm       SLR Productions Pty Ltd
3.45pm      Flying Bark Productions
4.15pm       Finish

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

www.aph.gov.au/FilmTV

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

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AUSTRALIA’s premier body representing the needs of small businesses, the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), are hosting a Small Business Start-Up Reception to kick-off the Vodafone National Small Business Summit, Australia’s premier policy event for small business representatives, government and industry leaders which will take place in Melbourne, 23–25 August.

The networking event will provide a unique opportunity for small business owners to meet and talk to industry decision-makers, including Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA and COSBOA board members, to discuss key issues currently facing more than 2 million small businesses across Australia, including pay penalty rates, bank payments, cyber security and more.

EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: Small Business Start-Up Reception
WHEN: 6:00pm-8:00pm, Wednesday 23 August 2017
WHERE: Event Centre Collins Square, 727 Collins St, Melbourne
PRICE: Early bird: $75.00 until 31 July; Standard: $90.00
DRESS CODE: Smart Casual
WEBSITE: http://www.cosboansbs.com.au/registration
HASHTAG: #NSBS17

The event will include an address from Mr Strong, in addition to a panel discussion between some of Australia’s leading young entrepreneurs delving into the topic of 'how can schools empower more student entrepreneurs?' The panel will include: Felicity Furey, founder of Machinam; Jamin Heppell, founder of HeadQuarters Australia and Jarad Dyson, leading teacher.

Peter Strong, passionate small business advocate and CEO of COSBOA, urges small business owners to attend and take this one-off opportunity to share, learn and have your say on policy.

“COSBOA is proud to represent the interests of small businesses, the Small Business Start-Up Reception provides a valuable opportunity for small business owners to meet with key industry representatives and share personal insights into the opportunities and challenges of business ownership in the current economic climate,” said Mr Strong.

In addition, a specially curated Small Business Marketplace will showcase crucial industry suppliers and provide an opportunity for business owners to ask questions, feedback and advice for your business. Marketplace contributors include: Vodafone, Amex, Google, Spotcap, the Office of the Australian Small Business and Family Ombudsman, ATO Single Touch Payroll, Fair Work Ombudsman, ASIC, Austbrokers, Nationwide Super and Symantec.

To register for the Small Business Start-Up Reception, visit http://www.cosboansbs.com.au/welcome

Hashtag: #NSBS17

THE City of Melbourne is encouraging unique and creative businesses of all kinds to apply for its next round of small business grants.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the funding program recognised the diversity and innovation small businesses bring to Melbourne, and the contribution they make to the city’s economy and job market.

"We now have 13,700 small businesses in Melbourne, making up 83 per cent of all businesses in the municipality," the Lord Mayor said.

“Over the past decade the City of Melbourne has allocated $8 million in grants to more than 360 businesses, many of which have gone on to achieve local and international success.

“Our support of small businesses and social enterprises has led to more than $70.9 million in turnover and more than 900 new jobs in the past decade.”

Businesses can apply for up to $30,000 towards start-up or expansion or for a grant of up to $10,000 to enter into the export market or towards providing business support services. The program is open to all industries, as long as the business is located in or planning to relocate to the City of Melbourne.

Small Business, Retail and Hospitality Portfolio Chair Councillor Susan Riley said the City of Melbourne has a long history of supporting small businesses.

"We deliver more than 50 services that can help Melbourne businesses. We aim to keep pace with how the business world is changing, supporting collaborative and sustainable ways of working to spark innovation and accelerate development,” Cr Riley said.

Applications for the grants close at midnight on Monday, 7 August 2017. Businesses can apply at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/smallbusinessgrants.

Previous grant recipients include:

• Nexvet, a biotechnology company that researches pain medication for pets, received a $30,000 grant in 2013 to fit out its office in Melbourne. On 10 July 2017, shareholders approved the acquisition of Nexvet by the world’s largest animal health company, Zoetis, for US$85 million.
• Infiniti Technology received a start-up grant to boost development and distribution of their TouchOne keyboard, the first dedicated smartwatch keyboard compatible with square or circular-shaped devices.

The Eternal Hedonist received an expansion grant to create a virtual space online in which customers could try on their range of hats.

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SMALL business operators have raised concerns with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) regarding the cost of sending parcels.

THE Tax and Revenue Committee will hold an interstate hearing in Sydney on Monday to further progress its inquiry into tax engagement.

The hearing will focus on applying behavioural insights work in public policy—influencing people to behave in ways which align with government objectives—and how personal responsibility or ethical behaviour can influence tax engagement. The impact of this on the undeclared cash economy and on individual freedom and choice, including potential impacts on the tax profession, will be explored.

Committee Chair Kevin Hogan MP said Monday’s public hearing will cover many aspects of the inquiry’s broad terms of reference.

“The Sydney hearing provides us with the unique opportunity to discuss behavioural economics with academics from the US and the UK, meet with the CEO of the Board of Taxation, and have grass‑roots feedback from tax professionals like ETax Accountants and the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance—all in the one day,” Mr Hogan said.

Importantly, the Committee will also discuss comparable country perspectives with the New Zealand Country Head of one of the peak accounting profession bodies, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, appearing alongside his Australian counterpart.

Mr Hogan also noted the Committee is keen to discuss the overseas work of pioneers of behavioural insights work including Professor Robert Slonim of Sydney University, who is soon to head the Commonwealth’s Behavioural Economics Team Australia, and the work of the Behavioural Insights Team UK who first applied this field of work to the public sector.

Public hearing details: 9:30 am – 4.15pm, Monday 17 July 2017, 1 Bligh Street, SYDNEY

Please note: Members of the public attending the hearings should notify the secretariat in advance to gain entrance to the venue.

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

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

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