THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell agrees with RBA Governor Philip Lowe’s view that small business needs support from our financial institutions.

“In cutting the official cash rate to an all-time-low of 0.75 percent, RBA Governor Philip Lowe made several pertinent observations about the credit squeeze affecting the Australian small business sector and how that’s effecting the economy more broadly,” Ms Carnell said.

“Most would agree with Dr Lowe’s comment that we will all be better off if businesses have the confidence to expand, invest, innovate and hire people.

“Dr Lowe says lending standards have strengthened, but the ‘pendulum may have swung a bit too far’ in some areas," she said.

“Vitally, Dr Lowe made it clear that our financial institutions should support small businesses, stating ‘lenders should not be so scared of making a loan that goes bad that they don’t provide the credit the economy needs’.

“The RBA Governor’s advice should be heeded. The overwhelming feedback to my office from the small business community is that a lack of access to funding is their biggest barrier to growth," Ms Carnell said.

“The most recent SME Growth Index revealed one in five SMEs are experiencing cash flow problems due to business loans being rejected.

“Even the Australian Banking Association has acknowledged that small business loan applications have fallen by 33 percent since 2014.

“It’s time we all sit up and listen to the RBA Governor. If our financial institutions change the way they do business with SMEs, it might just give small businesses the confidence they need to grow, which would be if significant benefit the Australian economy.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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PEOPLE with a passion for singing are urged to make a date to join the Queensland Choir for its acclaimed biennial Brisbane Sings Messiah in City Hall this December.

The Queensland Choir’s chorus master Kevin Power said singers who may not be regular choristers now have a unique opportunity to perform Handel’s most famous work as part of a 150-voice choir, with professional soloists and orchestra, in one of Brisbane’s most outstanding concert venues.  

“No audition is necessary, but singers must be at least 18 years old and attend six rehearsals, culminating in the Sunday afternoon concert on December 3 in Brisbane City Hall before an expected audience of more than 1000 people,” he said.

“Singing in the choir is fun and a challenge, as the Queensland Choir has a long history of performing Messiah in City Hall to the highest standards. Everything is thoroughly rehearsed, and choir members enjoy being part of a welcoming group sharing a common interest and learning from professional musicians, and each other.” 

Established in 1872, the Queensland Choir performed at the opening of City Hall in 1930 and staged the first Messiah there in the same year. 

“We realise not everyone can afford the time to commit to full-time membership of a choir these days, but it’s thrilling to share the experience of performing this masterpiece with a large choir in such a venue. Brisbane Sings Messiah enables interested singers take part in a full performance with a minimum of commitment.” 

Registrations close once soprano, alto, tenor and bass lists are full, so interested singers should contact the choir now https://qldchoir.com/sing-with-us/ phone 0491 654 134, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THE QUEENSLAND CHOIR – Brisbane Sings Messiah, Sunday, December 1, 2.45pm-5.15pm, Brisbane City Hall. Tickets: $45-$60; children and full-time students: $15- $25,  book online https://qldchoir.com/events/brisbane-sings-messiah-2019 or phone 3847 1717.

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"BANKS and other lenders must pass on today’s RBA rate cut in full and without delay,” Master Builders Australia’s chief economist Shane Garrett said. 

“The Reserve Bank reduced the official interest rate by 25 basis points earlier this afternoon, taking the rate down to a new unprecedented low of just 0.75 percent,” he said. 

“We welcome today’s RBA’s decision given it has the potential to boost demand across the economy and reduce financing costs for the 370,000 small businesses in the building and construction sector.

“There is already evidence that the interest rate reductions earlier this year have started to steer some parts of the housing market in a positive direction,” Mr Garrett said. 

“The latest RBA move will only succeed if it is matched by similar reductions in the interest rate on mortgages and small business loans. It is important that the banks and major lenders play their part in making sure that this happens,” Mr Garrett said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THEFair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has recovered $81,638.82 in unpaid wages for 167 current and previous employees, following investigations into 22 Subway franchisees.

Fair Work Inspectors targeted Subway franchisees in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria following requests for assistance from employees and anonymous tip-offs about potential breaches of Australia’s workplace laws.

Inspectors interviewed Subway employees, managers and franchise owners, and analysed numerous employment records and payslips.

The FWO determined that 18 of the 22 Subway franchisees were not compliant with Australia’s workplace laws.

The FWO found that the employers failed to pay the employees minimum wages, failed to pay entitlements like casual loadings and holiday and overtime rates, failed to issue proper payslips and did not keep proper employment records.

In response to the breaches, Inspectors issued seven compliance notices requiring employers to rectify breaches of the law, nine formal cautions putting franchises on notice about future non-compliance, and nine on-the-spot fines for record-keeping and pay slip breaches totalling $5,880.

The FWO continues to assist Subway workers. The FWO has recovered nearly $150,000 for underpaid Subway employees over the past two financial years, including the money recovered from this activity which commenced in 2017.

“The FWO is very concerned by the rates of non-compliance we have seen in the Subway franchise network and has a number of ongoing lines of enquiry into their operations,” Ms Parker said.

“Half of the underpaid Subway employees were young workers or from a migrant background, which can make them particularly vulnerable to exploitation. For many of these workers, it might be their first job and they could be unaware of their workplace rights or scared to raise issues with their boss.

“Franchisors, especially in the fast food sector, are a priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman. Franchisors can be held legally responsible if their franchisee stores don’t follow workplace laws. They must take reasonable steps to prevent this occurring. The community expects head companies to assure themselves that all the stores in their franchise network are paying workers their correct wages and entitlements.

“We encourage any Subway workers with concerns about their pay to contact us,” Ms Parker said.

The FWO also secured $65,438 in penalties against the former franchisee of two Subway outlets in Sydney for underpaying a Chinese worker more than $16,000.

A report of the FWO’s investigation of the 22 Subway franchises is available at www.fairwork.gov.au.

Subway staff can contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free workplace assistance. Employers and employees can also submit anonymous reports to the Fair Work Ombudsman online.

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