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Business bears brunt of cuts |
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Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:36 |
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Business bears brunt of cuts
Retailers have missed out on any major benefits from the Federal Government's budget announcements, say several industry groups.
According to the Australian Retailer Association (ARA), the budget will do little to take the cost pressure off retailers, and fails to wind back government spending to rid the nation of deficits.
Russell Zimmerman, executive director, ARA, said the retail body is disappointed the budget offered no obvious support for small business as it gives Australian consumers no tangible tax relief.
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Fair Work hones in on unpaid work schemes |
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Thursday, 07 February 2013 16:06 |
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Unpaid work schemes have been put under the microscope by the Fair Work Ombudsman after several high-profile instances of unpaid internships made it into national headlines.
The question being examined is whether such arrangements are exploitative or important vocational experience for students and young people.
As a result of its enquires, FWO has released its major report into unpaid work experience arrangements in Australia, including internships, work experience and unpaid trial periods.
The report, Experience or Exploitation? The Nature, Prevalence and Regulation of Unpaid Work Experience, Internships and Trial Periods in Australia by University of Adelaide Law School Professors, Andrew Stewart and Rosemary Owens, found a growing number of businesses are using unpaid work schemes as an alternative to hiring paid staff. This is precisely the area which can put organisations into costly, and brand damaging, legal hot water.
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Monday, 17 December 2012 12:24 |
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On Friday NSW introduced legislation allowing European standard 250w Pedalecs to be used on public roads. Victoria introduced the legislation in September and Queensland is expected to follow suit before Christmas.
The Australian Design Rules definitions were amended in May 2012 to include Pedalecs. Pedalecs are defined as 'a vehicle meeting European Committee for Standardization EN 15194:2009 or EN 15194:2009+A1:2011 Cycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC Bicycles'.
The European Standard covers electrically power assisted cycles of a type which have a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops pedalling.
The new definition is in addition to the existing vehicle category of POWER-ASSISTED PEDAL CYCLE (AB). This is now defined as "A pedal cycle to which is attached one or more auxiliary propulsion motors having a combined maximum power output not exceeding 200 watts; or A ‘Pedalec’".
The new definition is available in the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule - Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005 |
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Bicycle qualifications receive national endorsment |
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Friday, 14 December 2012 21:06 |
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The Australian bicycle industry, which generates around $2.7 billion a year, has this week received the news that the new AUR12 qualifications have been nationally endorsed.
Auto Skills Australia and the Bicycle Industry Advisory Committee and Technical Working Group are looking at developing a pathways program that will encourage new trainees and apprentices into the bicycle industry.
The committee are also considering the possibilities of a Certificate IV Qualification, which may include qualification streams including management, marketing, retail and a master bicycle technician program.
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Government responds to LVPP report |
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Monday, 03 December 2012 13:09 |
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The Federal Government today released their interim response to the Low Value Parcel Processing Taskforce Report.
The Government acknowledged that the current GST import threshold is high by international standards and disadvantages Australian retailers through taxation arrangements which favour overseas retailers, but indicated they believe this is not the major challenge affecting Australian retailers. In responding to the report, the Government has commited to improving the efficiency of low value parcel processing in preparation for a lowering the threshold level, but have given no indication as to a possible timeframe or level to which the threshold may be lowered.
The RCTA and BIA have been lobbying for the reduction in the threshold, presenting to the Productivity Commision, Low Value Parcel Processing Taskforce and each of the major political parties.
This is another step in the process, and we will continue to ensure the government is fully aware of the impact that the threshold, and any delay in lowering it, has on the bicycle industry.
The Aisstant Treasurer's Press Release is available here.
Download the response to the report from the Treasury website. |
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