THE AUSTRALIAN Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed the Victorian Government’s ‘Click for Vic’ initiative, and is encouraging consumers to carefully consider where their spending is going.

“This is a great initiative by the Victorian Government, and a timely reminder that it has never been more important to spend locally,” Ms Carnell said.

“I know things are difficult across the board for a lot of people at the moment, and many don’t have a lot of spare cash to spend.

“But it is really important that we think carefully about where the money we do spend is going.  What might seem like a small amount can make all the difference to a small business deciding whether to open tomorrow, or just making sure they can pay their bills.”

Recent analysis by Deloitte Access Economics suggests that as much as 10 percent of Australian small businesses may be forced to close when a number of supports cease at the end of September.

“The Deloitte numbers are really sobering, and should be seen as a wake-up call about what we stand to lose,” Ms Carnell said.

“The federal and state governments have provided unprecedented support to businesses, but there’s no doubt that more can be done, and the communities that rely on and enjoy these businesses need to do what they can to ensure their businesses survive."

Ms Carnell has reiterated calls for Government to mandate payment times to small business in the wake of large businesses pushing payments to small business out to as much as 180 days.

“I continue to be disappointed in large businesses extending payment times to small business through this period,” Ms Carnell said.

“I have made it clear previously that mandating payment times to small business is the only way to fix this problem, and there has never been a more important time for Government to ensure small businesses get paid on time."

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Department of Finance.  

Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, said Australia’s government procurement policies—overseen by the Department—could be a barrier to the survival of capability in some industry sectors that have invested heavily to help carry the nation through the worst of supply chain disruption brought about by the pandemic.

Generating and sustaining industry capabilities that are important to Australia’s sovereign national interest must be recognised as a factor in evaluating value for money if Government procurement is to be a strategic part of Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic 

Senator Fawcett said, “In addition to the human cost of the pandemic, Australia has experienced supply chain disruptions and economic instability. Smart government procurement which contributes to the development of sovereign capability and builds economic resilience could be an important part of Australia’s recovery from the pandemic.”

Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday 25 August
Time: 4.30pm – 5.30pm AEST 
Location: By teleconference

The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE National Cabinet must use today’s meeting to establish “green lanes” to allow interstate travel by maritime workers, with hundreds currently unable to travel to work or get home after being at sea, according to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).

MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said travel restrictions and border closures between Australian states and territories had led to a situation where many Australian seafarers were isolated at sea, unable to get home to their families, with replacement crew members also unable to join the vessels.

Shipping not only carries more than 98 percent of Australia’s imports and exports, but coastal trading routes are vital for moving fuel, gas, commodities and manufactured goods between Australian ports.

“Our nation’s reliance on maritime transport to maintain continuous supply has never been more obvious than during this pandemic,” Mr Crumlin said.

“The current border closure system is preventing many of the people who operate that supply chain from getting to work or returning home to their families, causing serious mental and financial hardship.

“We need genuine cooperation internationally and locally, across all levels of government and industry, to develop consistent, sustainable guidance that protects workers, the community and the maritime sector.” 

Mr Crumlin wrote to the national taskforce on August 11 outlining the issues and calling for the Federal Government to:

• Establish and fund a dedicated task force to coordinate across state and federal government agencies;
• Work with the aviation sector to facilitate flights for seafarer’s repatriation;
• Engage labour supply countries to better coordinate repatriation procedures for international seafarers;
• Rationalise visa, permit, and exemption processes, to support crew changes directly;
• Adopt the International Maritime Organisation-recommended framework for crew joining and leaving their ships;
• Work with unions and industry to ensure supply chain integrity in the domestic industry;
• Establish 'green lanes' for maritime crew repatriation;
• Protect seafarers and the community through Australia’s adherence to IMO protocols, along with Maritime Labour Convention and International Labour Organisation conventions;
• Mandate the supply of critical PPE to maritime workers; and
• Maintain testing and travel protocols specifically for maritime workers to expedite safe interstate travel.

The full letter: https://www.mua.org.au/news/mua-letter-national-covid19-response-group

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed the Australian Government response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct.

“I am pleased to see that the response picks up on a number of the concerns of franchisees.” Ms Carnell said.

“The report focuses on the three key parts of the lifecycle of a franchisee – entry, running the business, and exiting the business

“My office already deals with a broad range of complaints, centred around these aspects of owning a franchise. We know that the power imbalance between franchisor and franchisee makes negotiating disputes incredibly difficult.”

The response incorporates the functions of the Franchising Mediation Adviser into the Ombudsman’s office.

“This is a welcome change that we and others have been advocating for over some time now  that will help us more effectively resolve disputes” Ms Carnell said.

The Review pointed to further consultation on a number of important aspects in franchising practices and disputes.

“I remain concerned that the response’s commitment to ongoing consultation will further delay the changes that everyone in the sector know are sorely needed," Ms Carnell said.

“I appreciate that this can be a complex area, but it has now taken a full 18 months for the Government to respond to the Parliamentary Joint Committee report.  Further consultation and delay in effecting change is unacceptable and will continue to heap pressure on small businesses during these extremely difficult times.

“We will continue to advocate for timely and effective changes to assist small businesses, and look forward to working with the Government to deliver these crucial reforms.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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