|
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT 
Positive attitude and Cash Flow key in these economic times.
Regardless of which side of politics you support, both major political parties have clearly indicated that some form of stimulus package is required now rather than some future date. The current package is designed to inject both consumer and business confidence in the Australian economy at a time when consumers are being bombarded with daily media reports of the worsening world economies and the extend that other worldwide governments have been forced to implement in an attempt to reduce the impact of a recession.
But the government can only do so much, it is up to all consumers and business to maximize the opportunities that present themselves. Paramount to that success is maintaining a positive attitude. Talking to a variety people, it is amazing the different attitudes people have expressed as to their confidence in the Australian economy and the time frames before they expect things to improve.
It is interesting to watch consumer’s willingness to accept an increase or reduction in a specific products price as a result of that industries advice to the media of an event that may or may not occur. Further, if a specific price range is included in that advice, that more times than not the product is increased/decreased to within that price range.
Therefore it would seem that if everyone adopted a positive attitude instead of predicting doom and gloom, that the effects of the current economic climate may be drastically different, than would be experienced if everyone continued to take a negative approach.
Already there are some positive indicators following the initial Federal government stimulus package in December last year, the retail sector received a much needed boost that has continued throughout January, HIA announced on the 2nd March 2009, that January new home sales have jumped 8 percent and Woolworths posted a 10 percent profit rise in their first half profit to name just a few.
For small business the recent stimulus package has provide some assistance for small business through the introduction of an increased “temporary investment allowance” from 10% to 30% on eligible asset purchased (including motor vehicles) in excess of;
- $1,000 dollars for business with an annual turnover under $2 million dollars, and
- $10,000 for businesses over the $2 million threshold.
Business will not however be able to bundle purchases together to reach the threshold and the deduction is additional to the normal depreciation on the asset. Further, the full investment allowance can be claimed irrespective of the date the asset is acquired.
Whilst it is normal for business to have reservations on investing in new equipment in time of economic uncertainty, if the purchase of capital equipment will improve the productivity of your business today, then, with falling interest rates, and 30% investment allowance available perhaps consideration should be given to bringing forward any such purchase.
Before considering any such action, seek professional advice to ensure the item being considers meets the criteria and time requirement. Further information can also be found on the Australian Taxation Office website at:
http://www.ato.gov.au/taxprofessionals/content.asp?doc=/content/00175431.htm
It is also extremely important that business keep a close eye on their cash flow and in particular debtors. It would be prudent to review all your current credit controls and spend time each week reviewing current balances outside your trading terms. The establishment of good controls along with a disciplined approach to debt collection will increase your likelihood of debtors meeting their obligation.
One would have to question whether a customer who fails to meet their payment obligation is worth having.
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS UPDATE
Apprehended Violence Orders and Recruitment
Apprehended violence orders (AVOs) provide accessible protection to people who fear for their safety. However, the AVO has evolved to deliver an unintended outcome, namely its use as a source of information about some job applicants.
Some employees assume that an AVO is a reliable source of information about a job applicant. This assumption may be unreliable because AVOs are often sought and granted as a result of complex personal/family based disputes.
Many AVO subjects "consent without admissions" to the order. This means that the AVO subject did not agree with the complainant's allegations, however they consented to the AVO being made against them, to avoid a hearing about whether the order should be granted.
AVO subjects do experience discrimination in securing employment and, perhaps, in relation to promotion. Some argue that it is unfair to take an AVO into account because it may not be a reliable basis upon which to discriminate. Others point to circumstances where an existing employee is protected by an AVO against a job applicant. In those circumstances, the reliability of the AVO as a guide to the applicant's character is not relevant to an employer that simply wants to avoid a protected person working with an AVO subject in their workplace.
Discriminating against persons because they are subject to an AVO is lawful. In some instances, deciding not to employ a person subject to,or otherwise associated with, an AVO, may be a practical decision. However, employers should be cautious in making assumptions about people associated with AVOs.
MTA
FREE WORKPLACE RELATIONS INDUSTRY BRIEFING
• Understand the new Industrial Relations changes
• Prepare for the new unfair dismissal laws
• Comply with workplace OH&S
MTA will be conducting a free of charge seminar advising members of the 2009 Industrial Relations changes in particular, the upcoming unfair dismissal laws and how they will affect your business. Additionally the MTA will provide attendees with updates and an overview on OH&S legislative requirements and how these can be managed using MTA’s AutoSafe Occupational Health & Management Safety System.
Date: Wednesday 13 May 2009
Venue: Comfort Inn Airport - 57-73 Yass Road Queanbeyan
Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm
Registration Form
Business Name:_______________________________________________
1st attendee name: _____________________________________________
2nd attendee name: _____________________________________________
Contact Phone No: ____________________________________________
Email address: ________________________________________________
Please fax back this form to: 6241 2631
Tea, Coffee and biscuits will be provided on arrival so MTA recommends attendees arrive approx 15 minutes prior to commencement of the briefing.
OFFICE OF REGULATORY SERVICES UPDATE 
ACT Occupational Health & Safety -
New Work Safety Legislation for the Territory
2009 will see the implementation of the new Work Safety Act 2008. The new Act, which was proclaimed in August 2008, is due to take effect from 1 July 2009. From that date it will supersede the old Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989, which remains in force until then. The new Act can be thought of as an upgrade and it will reflect the contemporary nature of work in the Territory.
The OHS Commissioner's office has recently posted a new set of web pages providing a range of material explaining and hopefully de-mystifying the new Act. The site will continue to be updated throughout the coming year and public information sessions about aspects of the new legislation will commence in April 2009. Click on the button on the home page of the Commissioner's website to view this information (www.worksafety.act.gov.au).
The Work Safety Act continues the emphasis in the old (existing) Act of imposing obligations aimed at ensuring healthy and safe work practices are owned by all members of an organisation. Two of the key concepts underpinning this safety culture are a proactive approach to health and safety and the concept of risk management. Both of these concepts have an increased presence in the new Act.
Another key element in this regard is effective workplace communication. The Work Safety Act provides increased requirements for consultation through the formulation of Worker Consultation Units. In the new Act, the duty to consult will apply to all employers, regardless of the number of workers they have. Previously employers were exempt from having Health and Safety Representatives if they had less than ten employees. Workers Consultation Units will provide greater flexibility for small business owners and increased representation for a greater number of workers without having an onerous effect on the business.
Rather than simply stipulating that consultation must be entered into, as the previous Act did, the Work Safety Act also provides practical strategies for how it can be done, when it can be done, along with mechanisms for dispute resolution.
The new Act also examines the changing concept of the boss in a shifting workplace landscape. It redefines them as a person who engages a worker to carry out work in their business or undertaking. A business or undertaking also includes a not for profit business or an activity conducted by local, state or territory government.
Likewise, the idea of "worker" is revisited and coverage is increased to include roles such as independent contractors,outworkers, apprentices, trainees and volunteers who work in employment like settings.
Within the new Act there is also the provision for private prosecution for unions and employer organisations along the lines of common law. This is not a new thing and brings the Territory's Work Safety laws into line with current NSW Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
ACT WORKCOVER UPDATE
In January two Inspectors from ORS - Workplace safety team attended a dangerous substance spill at a workplace in Mitchell which resulted in three workers being taken to Canberra Hospital via ambulance apparently suffering burns. Inspectors noticed a number of additional OHS issues while at the site, and a revisit to the site facilitated improvement.
This incident is a timely reminder of the dangers associated with the storage, handling and use of Dangerous Substances in the workplace, and reiterates how important it is to ensure that the Safety Management System in place is adequate, has been tested, is monitored and reviewed as necessary.
OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING
Scam Warning - Fake home Service Technician
The Office of Regulatory Services is warning ACT residents to be wary of a phone call from an individual claiming to be a Telstra Service technician who wants to conduct a test on their telephone lines over the phone.
The individual requests that you press nine (9), zero (0), hash (#) and then hang up to complete the test.
Please beware if you receive this kind of phone call and request. By pressing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which allows them to place long distance telephone calls billed to your home phone number.
This scam has been originating from many of the local gaols/prisons and if you receive this kind of call you should report it to the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
REMEMBER: DO NOT PRESS 90# FOR ANYONE.
SCAMWATCH 
Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce 2009
Fraud Forum Gathers Experts to Slam Scams
Australians remain too complacent about the risk of fraud, despite losing an estimated $1 billion a year to scams, chair of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce Peter Kell, has warned.
Every year, one in 20 Australians fall victim to a scam.
“Most people know someone who has been scammed or lost money to fraud, but most people still don’t think it will happen to them, but anyone can be the target of a scam,” said Mr Kell.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission continues to receive in excess of 6000 calls a year relating to Nigerian-style advance fee scams alone, despite this scam being one of the most widely publicised.
“Some scams are easy to spot while others scammers will spend a long time building trust or use connections through friends to rip people off.”
In an effort to improve awareness of scams and help consumers better protect themselves the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce will target the most common scams and strategies for addressing them during its annual National Consumer Fraud Week from March 2-8.
Formed in 2005, the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce is made up of 18 government regulatory agencies and departments in Australia and New Zealand that work together to better protect consumers from fraud and scams.
The Taskforce co-ordinates the work of agencies and works to reduce the incidence and impact of frauds and scams, and each year it creates a co-ordinated information campaign for consumers, timed to coincide with global consumer fraud prevention activities.
This year, the centrepiece of National Consumer Fraud Week is a Fraud Forum, with expert speakers from around the country gathering to discuss common scams and ways for consumers to protect themselves from scammers.
Taskforce Chair and ACCC Deputy Director, Peter Kell said scammers use a number of avenues to reach victims, including door-to-door, snail mail, email, telephone and text messages, and over the internet.
“Scammers can use all kinds of tactics, including text messages and made-up profiles in social networking sites to pretend to be someone known and trusted and persuade people to send money or trick the unwary into revealing personal and banking details.
“Protecting personal information is just as important as protecting your money, as identity fraud continues to grow internationally and is becoming increasingly sophisticated,” said Mr Kell.
The Taskforce would like to know about any scams that members of the public have received and how they responded to them. The Australian Institute of Criminology, a Taskforce member, will conduct a short online public survey to gather more information to assist in the fight against fraud. Gathering this information will help to improve the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of scam offenders
All responses to the online survey will remain anonymous. Individual responses will not be disclosed to any third parties and will only be used for statistical analysis. To complete the survey, or report a scam, follow the links from the website www.scamwatch.gov.au.
Anyone can be the target of a scam. Remember, scams target you, protect yourself.
To find out more about National Consumer Fraud Week, scams, or to report a scam, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au or call 1300 795 995.
ATO WARNING
Beware of tax refund email scam
The Tax Office is warning people about a fraudulent email being circulated that claims to offer a refund from the Tax Office.
It is similar to previous scams and uses the Tax Office logo and the words "Notification - Please read" or "Australian Taxation Office - Please Read This" in the subject heading.
There may also be more variations to these subject headings.
The email asks people to click on a link which directs them to a bogus website that looks similar to the Tax Office website and asks for credit card and personal details.
The Tax Office never sends emails asking people to provide personal information including credit card details.
Tax Commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo said anyone who receives the email should delete it immediately.
"People should be wary of unsolicited emails claiming to be from the Tax office.
"As an extra precaution we recommend you type internet addresses directly into your internet browser rather than clicking on links embedded in emails," Mr D'Ascenzo said.
These websites are often set up in multiple jurisdictions making them difficult to trace and to shut down.
If people have entered their credit card information on the website, they should immediately report it to their credit card provider.
MTAA SUPERANNUATION CONTACT 
Ms Julie French
Industry Fund Financial Planner and Business Development contact
Telephone: 6273 4333
Mobile: 0414 340 149
Email: jfrench@mail.ifs.net.au
|
