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JobTrainer skills package meets the needs of SMEs: Ombudsman

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed the Federal Government’s $2 billion JobTrainer skills package, saying it will deliver the skilled workers that SMEs need.

The JobTrainer package will support SMEs employing apprentices and trainees with a 50 percent wage subsidy, up to $7,000 per quarter.

Ms Carnell said the original package had been expanded for an additional six months to end in March 2021 and is now available to businesses with less than 200 employees for apprentices employed from July 1, 2020.

“This is an excellent initiative that shows the government is responding to the needs of SMEs,” Ms Carnell said.

“This program expansion will mean up to 90,000 SMEs will be supported in keeping their apprentices and trainees in work.”

JobTrainer will also provide 340,700 training places to help people access short and long courses to develop skills in growth sectors.

“Importantly, this program is offering free or low-cost training to people in fields of study where jobs are available,” Ms Carnell said.

“It also provides SMEs with the skilled workers they need right now.

“As our COVID-19 Recovery Plan points out, small businesses consistently report that availability of suitable labour remains a major challenge. This problem has been even more pronounced in regional and remote areas.

“JobTrainer addresses these issues as well as the fact that the jobs and skills SMEs will need coming out of this crisis will likely be different to those that have already been lost," Ms Carnell said.

“The package will provide school leavers with a pathway to practical qualifications and older people out of work with the opportunity to retrain at very little or no cost. 

“The measures announced today will be a significant contribution to our national economic recovery.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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JobTrainer package will keep apprentices in jobs and new opportunities In building and construction

THE $2 billion JobTrainer package announced by the Federal Government is a great move that will keep young women and men in the building and construction industry working, according to Master Builders Australia.

Master Builders said JobTrainer would also provide hope and opportunity for those whose jobs have been lost in the economic devastation wrought by COVID-19.

Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said, “The building and construction industry trains more apprentices and provides more full-time jobs than any other sector in the economy. We look forward to being involved in the implementation of this $2 billion package.

“With the support of measures like JobTrainer, HomeBuilder and hopefully more stimulus measures and policy reforms in the future our industry will play a vital in rebuilding Australia,” Ms Wawn said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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Defence relationships in the Pacific to be re-examined in new Parliamentary hearings

AUSTRALIA's Defence relationship with Pacific Island nations will be re-examined in the context of the Pacific Step-up as two days of public hearings get underway in Canberra.

The Defence Sub-committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from academics, Government Departments and Non-Government Agencies across the two days to help explore how far Australia’s activities correspond to the needs of our partner nations in the Pacific and how they might be better co-ordinated.  

Sub-Committee Chair Andrew Wallace said the public hearings are an important opportunity to build on the evidence already received through written submissions and will help the Sub-Committee make a real contribution to understanding the effectiveness of Australia’s defence engagement with the region at a complex time.

"This is a chance for us to hear in more depth from some of the best-informed experts in the field. In addition to the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence, we are looking forward to hearing from academic witnesses from institutions including the Australian National University and Western Sydney University," Mr Wallace said.

"Combined with the evidence we have already received from governments including those of Tonga, New Zealand and the Philippines, and the information we have from agencies on the ground, I believe this Sub-Committee will have all the insight we need to help the government to make the most of Australia’s defence work with our Pacific partners."

Further details about the about the inquiry, including terms of reference, details on how to contribute a submission and, when available, details of public hearings and roundtable discussions, can also be obtained from the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 15 July 2020
Time: 8.50am to 4:30pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra.

Date: Thursday 16 July 2020
Time: 9am to 2pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra.

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

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COVID-19 inquiry to examine exports

A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will turn its attention to Australia’s export sector in a public hearing tomorrow.

Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, said many sectors of the export industry have been hit hard by COVID-19 although Government support to ensure freight capacity remains available has enabled some exports to hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong to continue.

‘Like many other sectors of the Australian economy, Australia’s exporters have struggled during the pandemic,’ Senator Fawcett said.

"While much focus has been on supply chains that Australia draws from, it is also the case that we are a major supplier for other nations. At tomorrow’s hearing, we’ll explore what else Australia can do to support our export sector.

"Importantly, the Committee will explore any underlying weaknesses in global supply and export systems the pandemic has revealed.  In particular, the Committee will assess how the nation can enhance its role as a supplier of choice in resilient and transparent supply chains for critical goods and services with like-minded nations."

Witnesses from the Export Council of Australia and the University of Western Australia’s Perth USAsia Centre will talk about the trade and economic impacts of the COVID pandemic on Australian businesses and about how Australia can support its export sector during and after the pandemic.

Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website. Submissions can be made until July 17, 2020.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 16 July
Time: 3pm – 4.30pm AEST 
Location: By teleconference

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

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Regtech key to cutting red tape for small businesses: Ombudsman

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell says government investment in regtech would be an effective way to cut red tape for small businesses.

Appearing before a Senate Select Committee hearing today on Financial and Regulatory Technology, Ms Carnell said the emergence of regtech created an opportunity to make life easier for small businesses.

“Research shows us that a quarter of small businesses spend 11 hours a week or more on compliance and close to half estimate the annual cost of compliance is $10,000 plus,” Ms Carnell said.

“Regtech uses information technology to simplify regulatory processes for the end user. It’s a potential game-changer for small businesses trying to navigate Australia’s complex regulatory system.”

The Ombudsman has made a number of key recommendations in regards to key areas where regtech could be implemented including award simplification, tax requirements, skills and training, government procurement and OH&S.

“With effective use of regtech, the government could streamline processes and reduce the burden on small businesses to interpret and implement complex regulations,” Ms Carnell said..

“This would be particularly useful in the industrial relations space where regtech solutions could ensure small businesses are paying wages and entitlements correctly and on time. We’ve recommended the Fair Work Ombudsman accredit regtech solutions for this purpose.

“In addition, government procurement would be optimised with digitisation. Regtech could provide small businesses with easier access to panels and demonstrate ongoing compliance. It could also simplify the tender process for small businesses.

“Ultimately the government has an opportunity to modernise their systems now to reduce red tape so that small businesses can develop the skills and products Australia needs to remain globally competitive.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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