Federal agencies will soon start paying e-invoices within five days or pay interest on any late payments. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said this five-day deadline will apply to contracts valued up to $1 million. It also requires the small business supplier and the federal agency to use the internationally established framework for e-invoicing. “We are [...]
Western Australia is aiming to reduce unfair business practices by boosting the powers of the small business commissioner. The Western Australian government has tabled changes to the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983 in parliament. The proposed reforms will allow the government to establish a specialised investigations and inquiry unit within the Small Business Development [...]
Australia’s small business ombudsman has welcomed Scott Morrison’s decision to reappoint Michaelia Cash to the role of small business minister. Kate Carnell said that Senator Cash, who has held this portfolio since August 2018, understands small business and has already shown her commitment to the sector. “Senator Cash’s return as small and family business minister [...]
The Queensland government has made two big promises to local small businesses ahead of Queensland Small Business Week. First, the government said it would reduce invoice payment times from 30 days to 20 days for small businesses, as of 1 July 2020. Second, the government said it would set a target for government procurement from [...]
Scott Morrison needs to keep the faith with small business, which helped him win re-election last weekend, according to the small business ombudsman. “A Sensis report a few weeks ago showed 35% of small to medium enterprises were undecided on who to vote for before the election, but they made their voice heard on the [...]
Now that the Coalition has been returned to power, the Morrison government’s promises to the small business sector have taken on fresh significance. Ahead of yesterday’s election, the government said it would support small businesses by: Paying them on time Lowering their taxes Expanding their access to finance Reducing red tape Making it easier for [...]
Businesses that accept payments through B2Bpay will be rewarded with 1 Qantas point for every $20 they receive. Small businesses will now be rewarded with Qantas points when they accept payments through B2Bpay, an online payments provider. Small businesses will receive 1 Qantas point for every $20 paid to them via B2Bpay. Since the launch [...]
Unfair contract terms will become illegal under a new government proposal. The federal government will introduce amendments to better protect small businesses from unfair contract terms. The government said it will consult on the following options: Making unfair contract terms illegal Imposing civil penalties on parties that impose unfair contract terms Extending unfair contract protections [...]
The new National Payment Transparency Register will record how long it takes companies to pay small business suppliers. The small business ombudsman has established an online payments register to record how long companies take to pay their suppliers. Kate Carnell said the aim of the National Payment Transparency Register was to promote best practice in [...]
Small businesses will save money on interest payments and have more money to invest, under a new government policy. The federal government will now pay small business suppliers within 15 days. It comes in response to the Inquiry into Payment Terms and Practices, which the small business ombudsman, Kate Carnell, published in April 2017. Ms [...]
