THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has welcomed the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Bill as a “first step in the right direction” to provide small businesses with a legislated mechanism to raise complaints.

Ombudsman Kate Carnell says the Australian Government spends between $50-60 billion each year on goods and services.

In 2015-16, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) accounted for 24 per cent of procurement by value ($13.7 billion).

Ms Carnell said the percentage, as a share of overall total value, had been steadily declining over the past three years.

“Our research and experience has highlighted several barriers to small business participation in government procurement processes,” she said.

“This has included an independent and effective complaints mechanism.”

The bill enables the Federal Court to grant an injunction or order payment of compensation in relation to a breach of Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPR).

The bill’s current form allows a supplier to lodge a complaint regarding a breach of the CPRs with the relevant Commonwealth entity undertaking the procurement.

This must occur as a first step before a supplier can apply to the court for an injunction or other remedy.

“I welcome this but note there is a time limit imposed on filing with the court (of 10 days) which can be waived in certain circumstances,” Ms Carnell said.

“The timeframe for lodgement should take into account the requirement for the responsible authority to investigate the complaint.

“Alternatively, a timeframe should be placed on the authority to investigate and report on a complaint.”

Ms Carnell said it’s not clear if the bill allows subcontractor suppliers access to the complaints mechanism.

Another concern reflects the sole use of courts as a remedy.

“This is potentially an expensive and complex pathway for many small businesses due to the time and costs associated with obtaining legal advice,” Ms Carnell said.

“There is a role for the courts but I would also like to see an alternative dispute resolution process that offers lower costs and more accessible access to justice for small business.

“This could be provided by formalising the Ombudsman’s existing role and functions as a complaint avenue or through an Industry Advocate, as proposed by the recent Joint Standing Committee on Government Procurement.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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BUSINESS heavyweights Kate Carnell, Anna Bligh and Philip Dalidakis will discuss the future of banking for Australian small businesses at the Vodafone National Small Business Summit next month.

Prominent business leaders and senior politicians, will come together to discuss key issues facing small businesses across Australia at the Vodafone National Small Business Summit in Melbourne on August 23-25, 2017.

Now in its 15th year the summit, hosted by the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA), is regarded as the premier event of the year to represent small business needs and will focus on 'Collaboration and Communities', building and strengthening partnerships between policy makers and industry leaders with the focus on the future of small business owners in Australia.

Across the two days, more than 30 speakers will discuss and debate significant matters facing small business people including banking and finance, regulation red-tape, cyber security, workplace relations, Vocational Education & Training (VET) and owner work-life balance.

The summit’s focus on banking requirements for small businesses and impact of managing financial stress will see respected voices from both sides of the fence, including the Philip Dalidakis, Victorian Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade; Kate Carnell, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Anna Bligh, CEO of the Australian Bankers' Association, share insights and discuss how banks can improve how they operate with small business owners.

Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA commented on the vital role the Vodafone National Small Business Summit plays in maintaining and improving the business environment, economy and regulations that guide small business people.

“Collaboration between small businesses with big business and government is essential to creating an environment that allows small businesses and therefore the nation’s economy to thrive," Mr Strong said.

“Over nine in 10 businesses across Australia are considered a small business, accounting for more than 33% of our nation’s GDP and 40% of the workforce. Yet, the level of regulation red-tape across government and stringent terms from corporations materially impacts the growth capacity for smaller companies.

“In 2017, the Vodafone National Small Business Summit will bring together the leading voices and decision makers in the industry to focus on what really matters to small business owners,” said Mr Strong.

The Summit will kick off on Wednesday, August 23 with the Small Business Start-Up reception where small business owners can meet and talk to industry leaders, followed by two days of Summit discussions.

COSBOA is the country’s peak body exclusively representing the interests of small businesses.

Register for the Summit: http://www.cosboansbs.com.au/registration
#NSBS17

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will conduct public hearings in Katoomba and Brisbane next week as part of its inquiry into factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of Australia’s film and television industry.

The Chair of the committee, Luke Howarth MP, stated that ‘the Committee is looking forward to hearing perspectives from industry participants from the greater Blue Mountains area, where the creative industries are a significant employer.’

"The film and television industry also makes an important contribution to culture and the economy in Queensland, where the Committee will hear from Screen Queensland and others," Mr Howarth said.

Public hearings will take place in Sydney and Melbourne later this month.  

Public hearing details

Katoomba: 10am - 11:30am, Wednesday 12 July, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, 30 Parke Street, Katoomba NSW

10:00am     Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise
11:30am      Finish

Brisbane: 9:15am - 11:30am, Thursday 13 July, Level 36 conference room, Commonwealth Parliament Offices, 1 Eagle Street Brisbane QLD

9:15am     Screen Queensland
10:15am     Dr Anna Potter
11:00am     BMC Productions Pty Ltd
11:30am     Finish

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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IT IS TIME to penalise states that do not develop resources because of pressure from foreign-funded green activists, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane told the Queensland Media Club today.

Queensland and Western Australia are currently disadvantaged by having resource royalties counted against the Grants Commission per capita distribution of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“States that do the heavy lifting by supporting job creating resource projects and supplying the electricity market shouldn’t be worse off,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Politicians can’t keep ignoring the science and running away at the first sign of chanting and placard waving from green activists. If you want to fall to the ideology and expect other states to provide your energy needs, then the federal government should cut your GST distribution.

“Overseas in resource rich countries such as Canada, royalty income is discounted by 50 per cent before it is added to the equalisation calculations. If such a system was adopted here, Queensland would gain about an extra $100 million a year – which is money in the bank to pay for infrastructure and services to make our state an even better place to live.”

Mr Macfarlane also called out foreign-funded green activists who use deceptive tactics along with misinformation campaigns.

“The optimist in me knows that good journalism isn’t dead and that the reason behind no fact-checking is an under-resourced newsroom – but the cynic in me sees a pattern of behaviour from the same journalists at the same news outlets," Mr Macfarlane said.

“I call on everyone to question and check everything they are told, especially if the consequences have the potential to cause harm, to health, business or reputation.”

www.qrc.org.au

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