SMALL business operators have raised concerns with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) regarding the cost of sending parcels.

THE Tax and Revenue Committee is holding a public hearing in Melbourne tomorrow to explore tax engagement more broadly, covering tax professionals, commerce and academia, and householders across the community.

Committee Chair Kevin Hogan MP said the Committee will be interested to hear from Melbourne-based tax professional bodies about why so many Australians continue to rely on tax professionals to manage their tax affairs, post myTax.

An important area for review will be the way tax regulation intersects with corporate and criminal law, in the context of the black economy and tax evasion.

Professor Helen Anderson will explain the impact of phoenix activity—where businesses sequentially go bankrupt and re-form to hide profits and avoid tax obligations, on Australia’s revenue base and the competitive ‘level playing field’ for business.

Fintech payment innovator Airwallex will discuss the importance of compliance with Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism laws in the $300 billion global payment transfer market. Airwallex has developed a sophisticated client identification system to manage the risks.

The Committee will also hear from Your Life Choices, an online magazine for Australians 45 plus, about the tax and superannuation concerns of people approaching, entering or in retirement.

“Tax engagement is not just important at Tax Time each year,” Mr Hogan said. “It is also about defining the type of community you want to live in—one that offers a level playing field for business and the services that Australians expect.” 

Public hearing details: 9.30 am to 3.30pm, Tuesday 18 July 2017, Committee Room G.1, 55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne.

Please note: Members of the public attending the hearings should notify the secretariat in advance to gain entrance to the venue.

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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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will conduct public hearings over two days in Sydney this 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 "we will be hearing from some of the biggest players in the industry this week in Sydney including Australia’s most well-known production companies, commercial television channels, key industry bodies and Screen Australia".

‘The Committee is looking forward to hearing from key participants in our film and television industry who make vital contributions to Australia’s economy and culture’ added Mr Howarth.     

Public hearing details:

Day 1: 9:15am to 4:45pm, Wednesday 19 July 2017, Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament, 6 Macquarie St , Sydney

9.15am       Screen Australia
10.15am      Fox Studios Australia
11.00am     Warner Bros
11.30am      Screen Producers Australia
1.15pm        Australian Directors’ Guild
1.45pm       Australian Screen Editors
2.15pm       Australian Film and TV Bodies
3.15pm       Australian Subscr TV & Radio Assn
3.45pm       Australian Writers’ Guild
4.15pm       Animal Logic
4.45pm       Finish

Day 2: 9:15am to 4:15pm, Thursday 20 July 2017, Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney

9.15am       Create NSW
10.00am     MEAA
10.45am     Win, Southern Cross & Prime
11.30am      Seven West Media
12.00pm     Network Ten Pty Ltd
1.15pm        Nine Entertainment Co.
1.45pm       Free TV Australia
2.30pm      Ausfilm
3.15pm       SLR Productions Pty Ltd
3.45pm      Flying Bark Productions
4.15pm       Finish

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

www.aph.gov.au/FilmTV

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

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THE City of Melbourne is encouraging unique and creative businesses of all kinds to apply for its next round of small business grants.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the funding program recognised the diversity and innovation small businesses bring to Melbourne, and the contribution they make to the city’s economy and job market.

"We now have 13,700 small businesses in Melbourne, making up 83 per cent of all businesses in the municipality," the Lord Mayor said.

“Over the past decade the City of Melbourne has allocated $8 million in grants to more than 360 businesses, many of which have gone on to achieve local and international success.

“Our support of small businesses and social enterprises has led to more than $70.9 million in turnover and more than 900 new jobs in the past decade.”

Businesses can apply for up to $30,000 towards start-up or expansion or for a grant of up to $10,000 to enter into the export market or towards providing business support services. The program is open to all industries, as long as the business is located in or planning to relocate to the City of Melbourne.

Small Business, Retail and Hospitality Portfolio Chair Councillor Susan Riley said the City of Melbourne has a long history of supporting small businesses.

"We deliver more than 50 services that can help Melbourne businesses. We aim to keep pace with how the business world is changing, supporting collaborative and sustainable ways of working to spark innovation and accelerate development,” Cr Riley said.

Applications for the grants close at midnight on Monday, 7 August 2017. Businesses can apply at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/smallbusinessgrants.

Previous grant recipients include:

• Nexvet, a biotechnology company that researches pain medication for pets, received a $30,000 grant in 2013 to fit out its office in Melbourne. On 10 July 2017, shareholders approved the acquisition of Nexvet by the world’s largest animal health company, Zoetis, for US$85 million.
• Infiniti Technology received a start-up grant to boost development and distribution of their TouchOne keyboard, the first dedicated smartwatch keyboard compatible with square or circular-shaped devices.

The Eternal Hedonist received an expansion grant to create a virtual space online in which customers could try on their range of hats.

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