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Credit cards are an integral part of Australian families but can negatively impact family budgets.  Credit card operators have been free to impose unrealistic rules for a long time however, legislation was introduced into Parliament today to reform credit card regulations and give Australians a better deal at last. The credit card reforms include: The ACCC has advised there’s strong…

The Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS) program offers grants of up to $100,000 (GST Ex) for eligible not-for-profit organisations to provide business advisory services to small businesses or small business owners to assist them in responding to natural disasters that have occurred in Australia since October 2010. Proposals funded by the SBAS programmay assist in…

The Government has provided a comprehensive update on the Government’s Home Insulation Safety Plan.   The Home Insulation Program (HIP) was closed in February last year. The Home Insulation Safety Plan was subsequently developed and included a comprehensive safety inspection component. In addition to the Government-initiated inspections, any household with insulation installed under the HIP has been…

In August 2009, the Government announced important reforms to transfer supervisory responsibility for Australia’s financial markets to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Since the Government announced in-principle approval of Chi-X in March 2010, ASIC has worked carefully and methodically to develop robust market integrity rules. These rules are designed to ensure the strength…

The Australian Government has agreed to contribute $100,000 under the TQUAL Grants program to the refurbishment of Peaka Homestead at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens at Mourquong near Mildura. Peaka Homestead adds to an already impressive collection of heritage buildings.  It provides a fully operational catering kitchen and training room for use by tourists and students…

The Federal and South Australian Governments are offering investment of $12 million through the South-East South Australia Innovation and Investment Fund (SE SAIIF) to encourage businesses in South Australia’s south-east to boost jobs and innovation. The Fund is a joint initiative between the Australian and the South Australian governments and it is expected the investment will create new long-term…

The Australian Government will provide Australian small businesses with an immediate tax write-off of the first $5,000 of any motor vehicle purchased from 2012-13.  Motor vehicles are the main capital item for many of Australia’s 2.7 million small businesses so this extra tax relief could deliver real benefits by improving cash flows and helping operators to reinvest…

The Government hosted a meeting today of the Household Assistance Working Group. The working group of community sector leaders discussed options for the design of the generous household assistance package that the Government will deliver together with a price on carbon pollution. The Government is consulting with community organisations to help ensure the household assistance package is fair and targeted…

Enterprise Connect – the Australian Government’s $50 million a year small business assistance program – is celebrating its third birthday.  Since 2008, Enterprise Connect has helped over 7,500 businesses with a range of services including advice, researcher placements, workshops, events and grants. The Tailored Advisory Service grants scheme has helped a wealth of these businesses improve…

The Government today announced the politically motivated $34.4 million Buy Australian at Home and Abroad initiative to provide Australian suppliers with have a better chance of benefiting from the nation’s major resources projects.  These major resources projects can provide significant opportunities for Australian suppliers. Unfortunately, some suppliers have been missing out because of established global vendor lists and…