THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has recognised the rise of ‘womenpreneurs’ and the key role women will play in driving future business growth on World MSME Day (Sunday June 27).

World MSME Day 2021, declared by the UN, has identified the evolution of womenpreneurs as one of the Top 10 Trends of the year.

Mr Billson said this was also an emerging trend in Australia, with women-owned women-led enterprises increasing at a faster rate than male-owned businesses. 

“On World MSME Day I want to thank all small and family businesses for their vital contribution to Australia’s prosperity, wellbeing and community,” Mr Billson said. 

“Female entrepreneurs have been acknowledged on World MSME Day as being a crucial part of the global SME ecosystem who are looking for new growth opportunities.  

“In Australia, about 38 percent of small businesses are owned by women and we are likely to see that number continue to grow.

“In the decade to 2019, of the 171,000 newly established businesses in Australia, two-thirds were led by women.

“Research has found the economic opportunity for Australia by boosting the number of female entrepreneurs to parity with men would be worth between $71 billion and $135 billion to the nation’s economy.”

Resilience has also been listed as one of the Top 10 Trends of 2021 as part of World MSME Day.

“The past 18 months has been incredibly challenging for small businesses, but I have been inspired by the courage and agility shown by our small business community,” Mr Billson said.

“Our Small Business Counts report noted ABS data revealing 40 percent of small businesses have changed the way they provided products and services as a result of the pandemic.

“More than ever we have seen the deep personal commitment it takes to run a small business and I thank Australian small and family businesses for their fighting spirit, hard work and determination.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

View ASBFEO’s World MSME Day video here.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson has welcomed the Australian Government’s $1.2 billion investment in the nation’s digital future, including the 30percent tax offset for the video game industry.

Mr Billson said the investment would encourage greater digital adoption by small and family businesses, to ensure they are globally competitive.

“This significant investment will support small business growth and go some way to unlocking the commercial gains that can be made through digitisation,” Mr Billson said..

“Many small businesses have adopted better use of mobile and internet technologies as a result of the COVID crisis and these announced support measures will help that trend continue. Being digitally engaged has been very important for businesses, particularly in regional and rural areas, to continue delighting customers at a time of pandemic-related disruptions.

“In reality, digitisation is now vital to being truly competitive. That means everything from having a website, to being e-commerce enabled, using apps to improve business efficiency and targeting customers through social media platforms," he said.

“SMEs with advanced levels of digital engagement are 50 percent more likely to grow revenue and earn 60 percent more revenue per person, according to MYOB research.

“We welcome the Australian Government’s commitment to help SMEs build their digital capacity and drive business up-take of e-invoicing.

“With 1.2 billion invoices exchanged in Australia every year, making the switch to e-invoicing would add an estimated $28 billion to the Australian economy over 10 years. For SMEs, we know e-invoicing streamlines productivity and improves cash flow with reduced admin and faster payments.”

Mr Billson particularly welcomed the support provided to the Australian video game industry, which is comprised of many high growth potential small businesses and start-ups.

“My office has been a vocal supporter of the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) which estimates Australia could create a $1 billion industry in game development, providing export revenue and employing an additional 10,000 full time workers with the right support,” Mr Billson said.

“This 30percent tax offset is an excellent support measure to help Australian video game producers take a greater share of the $250 billion global game development market.

“Ultimately this investment, which forms part of the Australian Government’s Digital Economy Strategy, will help make Australia the best place to start and grow a business.” 

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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THREE peak bodies have joined forces to welcome an assurance by the Queensland Government it can use existing powers under the Local Government Act to defend their industries from ‘unfair and inequitable’ council rate increases.

An increase in rates could potentially be levied under a proposed amendment to new COVID-19 laws introduced last year, which are due to be debated in Parliament this week.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and AgForce representatives appeared before the government’s Economics and Governance Committee inquiry into new COVID-19 legislation over the past month, providing a joint submission to speak against a draft provision to extend councils’ ability to increase rates outside the standard, annual budgetary process.  

In its submission, the groups had sought an assurance Local Government Minister Steven Miles would intervene if a ratings decision breached rate setting principles and misaligned with local government’s Guideline on equity and fairness in rating.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said all three bodies fully appreciated the impact COVID had inflicted on regions, but industries like resources and agriculture were facing their own challenges and could not be expected to soak up further unpredictable and unjustified costs. 

“The draft provision in the legislation could make the already unpredictable local government rating system more unstable at a time sectors like resources, which contributed $200 million in local government rates and charges in the past financial year, need to remain competitive to help Queensland recover economically from COVID-19,” Mr Macfarlane said.

QFF chief executive officer Georgina Davis said there was already no statutory constraint on the power of local government to determine rates and the visibility of council budgets was limited.

“The existing framework has created an unsustainable system that lacks transparency and provides local government with unfettered powers and the ability to effectively plug budget gaps by raising rating revenue on selected industries without clear justification,” Dr Davis said.

"The additional powers proposed in this draft provision exacerbate that.”

AgForce chief executive officer Michael Guerin said industry sectors understood regions needed to be financially sustainable, but this could be achieved through a predictable rate system that fostered industry growth.

“Our sectors are jointly advocating for greater transparency and accountability in local government budgets and rate setting, and we are very keen to work with the State and local governments to improve the fairness of the system,” Mr Guerin said.

www.qrc.org.au

www.qff.org.au

www.agforceqld.org.au

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PROFESSIONAL firefighters suffering from post-traumatic stress injury and other mental health issues will be able to quickly access targeted services thanks to the Victorian Government's delivery of a Centre of Excellence for emergency service workers. 

The United Firefighters Union of Victoria (UFU) welcomed the Labor Government's announcement that it has committed $6 million in establishing the centre, which will guarantee Victorian professional firefighters have access to world class support and care. 

"Professional firefighters are exposed to trauma everyday through the course of performing their duties," secretary of the UFU Victorian Branch, Peter Marshall said. "Underneath their protective clothing, they're human beings -- the accumulated trauma they are exposed to in the course of performing their duties takes a heavy toll on their mental and physical health. 

"Victorian professional firefighters serve and protect members of the community and do so without wanting accolades.  It is refreshing to see that this silent dedication, which results in firefighters sometimes sacrificing their own work through the performance of their duties, has been recognised by the Andrews Government.  

"The UFU welcomes the Andrews Government's guarantee that when professional firefighters need support, help will be there."

The United Firefighters Union has long campaigned for greater protection for professional firefighters.  On a daily basis, they are exposed to the impact of responding to incidents that involve death, trauma and tragedy.   This accumulated exposure takes a toll on the physical and psychological wellbeing of professional firefighters. A report by Newcastle University found that 68 percent of Victorian career firefighters showed symptoms of moderate to serious levels of post-traumatic stress inhury (PTSI).  

"Extensive research conducted in Australia and internationally has shown that first responders, including professional firefighters, suffer PTSI, depression and other psychological illnesses at a much higher rate than the population," Mr Marshall said.

"If left untreated this can lead to alcohol and drug abuse, relationship breakdowns and even suicide. Providing specialised support and making it available early on means people can manage the pressure of their work."

The centre is the first of its kind in Australia. First responders will be able to be quickly referred to the dedicated specialists working in the centre by their GPs. The centre will also invest in training for health professionals to support frontline responders and internationally recognised research.

"We are pleased to see that the Andrews Government is protecting the protectors," Mr Marshall said.

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