Decades-long dream of Sydney-Newcastle fast train to become reality
The federal government has pledged to fund a fast train from Newcastle to Sydney if elected, bringing to the fore a decades-long topic of conversation about high-speed rail in Australia.
How the right budget could send Australia’s unemployment below 3% for the first time in 50 years
A budget that forecast a rate lower than 4%, but adopted as a target or stretch forecast an unemployment rate lower than 3%, would make history.
Andrew Forrest and Anthony Pratt embroiled in bushfire recovery grants controversy
A bushfire recovery fund is at the centre of a new scandal, with allegations funding has been targeted to Coalition-held state seats.
Government pledges $1.9 billion for emerging technologies, but leaves renewables out in the cold
The government has reinforced its message that it's time to move on from assisting now-commercially-viable renewables.
Explained: What the government is (and isn’t) doing to slash energy bills
Wondering what's happening with your small business energy bills? Here's the rundown on what the government is doing.
Company director crackdown: New laws tighten rules for business owners
The government's latest company director crackdown will see new laws tackle dodgy resignations and cheap asset sales that rip off creditors.
Government’s $2 billion SME finance fund critiqued by Productivity Commission
The Productivity Commission has taken a swipe at the government's $2 billion Business Securitisation Fund, questioning whether it is in the public interest.
“Now is not the time to be timid”: We need to kick-start innovation in Australia
It is time for Australia to become more ambitious, prioritise innovation and start transforming our economy. Now is not the time to be timid.
“Significant disadvantage”: Minimum wage to increase 3% as umpire concedes some workers are doing it tough
The Fair Work Commission has increased the national minimum wage by 3%, effective July 1, 2019. As usual, the decision has upset interest groups.
What does a Coalition government mean for small business?
The Coalition has been returned to government and work is already underway to flesh out the state of play in small-business policy.
Will Labor’s minimum wage boost “flow back into the tills of small business”? It’s complicated
Bill Shorten says increasing the minimum wage will benefit small businesses. But does that claim stack up? Well, it's complicated.
Big promises and band-aid solutions: Will small business ever see respite from soaring energy costs?
Energy costs are a big issue facing the small-business sector ahead of the election on Saturday, writes Embertec president Domenico Gelonese.
