Legislation passed to make COVID-19 support payments for businesses tax-free
Small businesses will not be required to pay tax on COVID-19 business support payments provided by the federal government, after both houses of parliament passed new legislation this week.
Confusion, uncertainty and compliance: The cost of varying COVID-19 support
Under the current fragmented approach to COVID-19 support, businesses in each state contend with different systems with varying eligibility.
“Desperate situations”: 63% of hospitality businesses want mandatory vaccination among staff
The majority of hospitality businesses want to see COVID-19 vaccines mandated among staff, Restaurants & Catering Australia has found.
Vaccine hesitancy is falling, but incentives still aren’t enough to reach 80% vaccination rate
The latest survey data collected by the Melbourne Institute shows vaccine hesitancy had fallen to 21.5% of the adult population at the end of July 2021, compared with 33% at the end of May 2021.
Queensland tourism body says 650 operators in Cairns “are hanging by a thread”
A Queensland tourism association says 650 tourism operators in Cairns are on the brink of collapse as a three-day coronavirus lockdown compounds the effects of reduced domestic travel.
Advertising industry tackles AstraZeneca hesitancy with ‘A to Z’ social media campaign
High profile members of the Australian advertising industry have teamed up to urge more Australians to get vaccinated by launching a creative campaign to counter concerns about the risks associated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Queensland’s Small Business Commissioner role made permanent to help SMEs facing hardship
The Palaszczuk government’s decision to make permanent the role of Queensland Small Business Commissioner recognises the ongoing hardship SMEs have endured during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are at another crisis point”: COVID-19 reveals flaws in early education and care funding
Last year, the federal government acted quickly to support parents and early childhood education and care providers. Now we face another crisis point, and help is needed urgently.
Mandatory vaccinations in the workplace: Who’s liable, and for what?
When it comes to mandatory vaccinations, small business owners must be mindful of the liabilities they could be exposed to.
SME valuations hit record high of $1.4 trillion in June with more businesses looking to sell
Small and medium business valuations hit a record high of $1.437 trillion in June before the latest wave of COVID-19 lockdowns, fresh data from Succession Plus shows.
Seven suggestions on how to fix Sydney’s COVID-19 outbreak, beyond vaccinations
Experience from Australia and around the world tells us what needs to be done in NSW to protect public health and the economy.
“No, we are not okay”: Wedding industry vendor shares the pain of 18 months of business annihilation
"In mid-March 2020, an atomic bomb called COVID-19 landed, and I’ll be brazen enough to say there were few as close to the epicentre than the wedding and event industry," writes Kate Austin.
