Issue No. 20
March 2015
2015 is full steam ahead. I can hardly believe it is almost April.
As you probably know the ASBC is being transformed into the Australian Small
Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. Last week, Treasury released the
exposure draft legislation. I encourage you to have a look and make a submission.
No small business
should fail through lack
of access to information
Tomorrow, I will be speaking about small business at the Queensland Law
Symposium. Contracting is a key area of interest and I encourage legal
professionals to step small business clients through the rights and responsibilities
of each party. After all, no one wants to get into trouble for something they didn’t
know had to be done.
Enjoy reading our newsletter and I hope you have a great Easter.
Mark Brennan, Australian Small Business Commissioner
In a dispute?
Submissions
ASBC Blog
Caught in a business dispute, but
don't know what to do or where
to go?
Recent submissions:
 Business set-up, transfer and
closure
 Workplace relations framework
Visit www.asbc.gov.au/reports
Google only does one thing:
answer questions!
Visit Dispute Support:
www.asbc.gov.au/disputesupport
Find out more at
www.asbc.gov.au/blog
Transforming into an Ombudsman
The ASBC is transforming into the Australian Small Business and Family
Enterprise Ombudsman. The transformation is one step closer with the release,
last week, of exposure draft legislation.
Visit the Treasury website (www.treasury.gov.au/ConsultationsandReviews/
Consultations) for more information and to lodge a submission. Submissions
close Tuesday 7 April 2015.
Have employees? Let's talk!
The ATO wants to hear from small business employers about what it's like to
employ someone and how this could be improved. Your experience will inform
the next Fix-It Squad which is looking at ways to make it simpler to employ staff
and reduce red tape.
To share your experience go to lets-talk.ato.gov.au/sbfixitsquad
Grocery Code takes effect
The Food and Grocery Code of Conduct came into effect in March. The
voluntary code will help ensure major retailers and wholesalers are fair in their
dealings with suppliers.
If you supply to a retailer or wholesaler that signs up to the code, you don't have
to sign up as well - you will automatically be covered. The ACCC will make a list
of signatories available as retailers and wholesalers sign up to the code.
Learn more at www.accc.gov.au/business/industry-codes/food-and-grocerycode-of-conduct
Government news
ASBC newsletters
ASBC blog
www.asbc.gov.au/news/government
www.asbc.gov.au/blog
www.asbc.gov.au/news/newsletters
Help to self-manage tax debt
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The ATO encourages small businesses to avoid penalties and interest charges by
self-managing tax debt. The ATO’s self-help tools and products can assist:
24-hour service on 13 72 26 to arrange late payments or instalments,
Interest-free payment arrangements for BAS debts for up to 12 months,
ATO App or online Payment Arrangement Calculator to work out a payment plan,
and
Stay in control of your business video on the ATO YouTube channel
(www.youtube.com/user/AusTaxOffice)
Businesses benefit from the Restart Wage Subsidy
The Restart Wage Subsidy gives businesses up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) if they
hire and retain an eligible mature-age job seeker.
Restart is making a positive difference to people’s lives and employers are seeing
that mature-age workers can make valuable contributions to their business.
For more information visit www.experiencepays.gov.au
Pay equity for small business
Small businesses face a unique set of challenges when it comes to pay equality in
the workplace. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) assists small
businesses to manage and improve workplace gender equality.
In collaboration with Economic Security4Women, WGEA has developed a three
step guide to help small businesses ensure fair pay between men and women in
their business. Learn more on the WGEA website, www.wgea.gov.au/addressingpay-equity/pay-equity-small-business
What's the latest small biz news?
So much news, so little time. Save time and get all your small business updates
from across the Australian Government in one place - Government News
(www.asbc.gov.au/news/government). Recent news:
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Employers - save time when you hire someone new (ATO, 18 March)
E-commerce and the Law (Digital Business, 12 March)
Google and ACCI unveil plan to help small business get online (Minister for
Small Business, 11 March)
Help to improve and grow
Australian Industry Group’s max360@aigroup® initiative is a free program to
assist small business, including events, webinars, information services, hands on
assistance, and business tools. It covers workplace relations, environment and
energy, people and leadership, WH&S, and business improvement. Visit
www.max360.com.au or call 1300 886 150.
max360@aigroup® is funded by the Australian Government’s Productivity
Education and Training Fund.
Office of the Australian Small Business Commissioner
Post: GPO Box 1791, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
Phone: 1300 650 460 | Email: enquiries@asbc.gov.au