THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Bruce Billson is set to visit natural disaster-hit areas across the country seeking vital on-the-ground feedback from impacted small businesses.

Throughout the sessions, the Ombudsman will gather insights from small business operators all the way from Northern Queensland to Kangaroo Island and Tasmania, to help inform the Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry.

Mr Billson said small businesses were encouraged to take part in the ASBFEO-hosted feedback sessions, which kick off in Townsville and Rockhampton on Monday, February 14.

“We want to hear from small and family business owners who have lived experience of a natural disaster and have ideas about how best the government can support them to prepare and remain resilient in the case of an unavoidable event,” Mr Billson said.

“What we learn from small businesses on this tour, will help inform our recommendations to improve education and engagement programs to best target and assist small businesses in preparing for natural disasters such as fires, floods and drought.

“We know the impacts of natural disasters on small businesses can be devastating. It can mean damaged and destroyed assets, reduced production and revenue streams, and sadly, a business-ending event in some cases that can have devastating personal impacts.

“Recovery can be lengthy - taking a heavy toll on small business owners, their staff and the broader community, but can be greatly assisted by good preparedness.

“The cost of natural disasters and the time it takes for small businesses to get back on their feet could be reduced by being better prepared, taking sensible risk and impact mitigation action and bolstering resilience," Mr Billson said.

“Over the coming weeks, we will be visiting more than 20 areas across six states and territories that have been impacted by fires, floods and cyclones. I encourage small and family business owners to take part in this important discussion.”

Small business operators who are unable to make a feedback session can contribute their insights here.

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THE Australian Parliament’s Agriculture and Water Resources Committee has tabled the report of its inquiry into the Australian aquaculture sector: Supporting a strong future for Australian aquaculture.

The report found that Australian aquaculture was a growing industry with a strong positive outlook. Australia’s aquaculture already has a reputation for producing premium product and further improvements will strengthen its market position. The report noted that unlocking the full potential of the industry would require the removal of some barriers to growth.

Committee Chair Rick Wilson MP said, "There are many exciting opportunities for the growth of Australian aquaculture. The growth of the industry will help meet domestic demand for seafood, boost exports and provide thousands of additional jobs, especially in regional areas.

"Aquaculture, like all industries, has its share of challenges and potential barriers to growth. The committee has made a number of recommendations with the aim of overcoming these barriers," Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson noted the confusion caused by current rules around the country of origin labelling of seafood.

"Consumers are unable to know whether they are buying imported or Australian fish at their local fish and chip shop.," Mr Wilson said.

"Consumers have the right to know where the seafood they buy originates from. It is nonsensical that there are no country of origin labelling rules for the food service industry, and this must be addressed."

For further information, visit the inquiry website.

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HESTA has urged Federal Parliament to progress important legislation currently languishing in the House of Representatives that would fix a loophole that sees those earning less than $450 a month from an employer miss out on super.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey called on all sides of politics to take this opportunity to prioritise improving the financial security of some of Australia’s lowest paid casual and part-time workers.

“We have a small of window of opportunity to ensure that this basic equity measure is passed and implemented by 1 July, but Parliament must act now,” Ms Blakey said.

“This basic equity measure will make an important difference to our members who spend their entire working lives caring for others.

“Super is meant to be for all Australians, paid on every dollar earned. Ending this outdated measure will send a strong message to those working in casual or part-time positions for multiple employers that their work is valued.”

The government had previously flagged the legislation would be dealt with by both houses of Parliament today, but the legislation has seemingly not been prioritised. The change has bipartisan support and is expected to pass, if the government progresses the Bill.

Ms Blakey said If Parliament rises tomorrow without passing the Bill, many casual and part-time workers would continue to be unfairly excluded from the full benefits of super.

“The government should not miss the opportunity to make a difference to the financial security in retirement for those Australians who need it most,” Ms Blakey said.

Many HESTA members working in health and community services are low-income earners, working a small number of irregular shifts for a range of employers. This means they may not meet the $450 threshold with one or more employers, further reducing their super balances at retirement.

“We know that women experience a gender super gap that results in them having more than a third less super than men,” Ms Blakey said.

“Scrapping the $450 threshold is long overdue. Parliament must not miss this opportunity to make our super system fairer for women and the lower paid.”

The government committed in its 2021-22 Federal Budget to removing "this antiquated threshold" that sees around 300,000 working Australians – about two-thirds of whom are women – miss out on the full benefits of super.

"If it does not pass before Parliament rises tomorrow, it is unclear whether the legislation will pass before a Federal Election. HESTA has been advocating for this change for many years and will continue to urge politicians to ensure it becomes law as soon as possible."

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THE Australian Parliament’s Northern Australia Committee has tabled the report of its inquiry: The engagement of traditional owners in the economic development of northern Australia.

The report found that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were keen to participate in the economic development of northern Australia, both for their own communities and for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Committee Chair Warren Entsch MP said, "The challenge for traditional owners is to leverage the rights provided by native title and land rights for the economic and social advancement of their communities.

The bodies representing traditional owners have a very large burden of responsibilities and expectations placed upon them, but government funding and capacity-building support for them is insufficient. Secure, long-term funding is essential," Mr Entsch said.

"There are important new opportunities for traditional owners in emerging sectors of the economy. These include environmental protection initiatives such as savanna burning, land management, carbon abatement and renewable energy.

Opportunities like these have the special strengths of using traditional knowledge of country. They also support efforts to stay connected with country and to fulfill traditional obligations of custodianship."

Further information, including a copy of the report, can be obtained from the Inquiry website.

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