Tag: policy

Last week, the Hon. Ian MacFarlane, Minister for Industry, launched the seventh Global Innovation Index (GII) report, highlighting Australia’s place in the top ten...

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr V. Sivapalan, a Malaysian serial entrepreneur with a deep interest in what factors...

Software provider MYOB has released several recent findings on SME dissatisfaction with the Government, but here's one that has particular resonance. Nearly half of all Australian small-to-medium business operators say they don't understand the full implications of the government's new carbon tax on their business. Of the 1,043 SMEs surveyed, 42% admitted that they did not understand the significance of the carbon tax well enough. Overall, 54% of respondents claimed they did understand the implications (17% 'very well' and 37% 'quite well'), while the remaining 4% didn't know.

Barry Westhorpe is Chief Executive of The CEO Institute - Victoria, a leading networking group for senior executives. In this podcast, Westhorpe explains the results of a recent report released by the institute on CEO confidence levels in Australia. While news has been good for the financial and service sectors, business sentiment is turning pessimistic due to uncertainty in overseas markets and in Government policy on SMEs.

In this podcast, Sinclair Davidson presents his take on how the carbon tax could impact the economy. He characterises the tax as a ploy designed to change behaviour rather than generate revenue and questions the Government's proposed compensation to offset cost of living increases.

In this podcast, Leon and Garry talk about Treasurer Wayne Swan’s raft of bank reforms while the Senate economics committee has hearings into the banking business, Australia’s super system is to be manipulated, new figures show that despite the mining boom, the real economy is struggling with vehicle sales down, personal credit shrinking, dwelling commencements falling, low business confidence and more businesses expected to call in corporate undertakers and consumer confidence edges up.

In this interview, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten reaffirms the Government’s vision for encouraging greater banking competition. He explains the plan for supporting a so-called ‘fifth pillar’ of non-bank lenders and addresses the role of superannuation funds in achieving a budget surplus.

This question was presented with an offer to voice my views and suggestions at the next SBDC board meeting on Thursday 21 September. Now, as many Anthill readers probably know, I'm not based in NSW. So, I don't feel qualified to answer. But I do know that close to 40% of Anthill readers do live in NSW. As such, I'm turning the question to you. If you have a suggestion for the SBDC, this is your chance to tell the PTBs (powers-that-be) what you think.

Australian companies continue to increase their investment in research and development, but the growth rate has dropped dramatically, according to figures from the national Bureau of Statistics. This coincides with amendments to the Governments R&D tax credit bill.

There has been much misguided speculation recently about Australia’s mining boom and what it means for the broader national economy and manufacturing. Some have portrayed the mining sector as an insatiable beast. A beast whose demand for resources, labour and capital must be fed – whatever the consequences for the rest of the economy.

While the future shape of Government in Australia is still undecided, sufficient trends are emerging to enable IT managers to undertake some reasonable scenario planning. This is certainly not a time to sit around waiting for an answer, as the news is not all bad for government IT.

In an effort to inject new life into Queensland's economy, the Queensland State Government has partnered with Zernike Group to create the Brisbane Technology Park, part of the state government's Smart State Strategy.

Even though Australia enjoys an excellent budgetary position by world standards, fiscal policy has been a big issue for the current federal election. In a tight election, each party argued hard that their policies would deliver the biggest budget surplus over the next three years. However, when this year's historic post-election dramas are over, the winner will be faced with the challenge of some serious belt-tightening if it is to deliver on promises. Whichever party wins, the next three years will herald another period of efficiency drives and cuts.

Five minutes of overheard conversation in any Australian watering hole or bus-shelter this week will tell you that Tony Abbott is a misogynistic mad monk and that Julia Gillard is a political assassin controlled by faceless apparatchik of the union movement. But are these the factors that will steer Australia in a direction that will create an economically secure and culturally harmonious nation for decades to come?

Five minutes of overheard conversation in any Australian watering hole or bus-shelter this week will tell you that Tony Abbott is a misogynistic mad monk and that Julia Gillard is a political assassin controlled by faceless apparatchik of the union movement. But are these the factors that will steer Australia in a direction that will create an economically secure and culturally harmonious nation for decades to come?

RMIT University economist Sinclair Davidson questions Treasurer Wayne Swan’s claims that Australia is headed for a bigger than expected surplus. He says the government is betting on an increase in commodity prices, much like a hedge fund.

RMIT University economist Sinclair Davidson questions Treasurer Wayne Swan’s claims that Australia is headed for a bigger than expected surplus. He says the government is betting on an increase in commodity prices, much like a hedge fund.

It's been a heavy news week. Talking Business is a podcast review of the Australian economy, presented by seasoned business journalists Leon Gettler and Garry Barker, produced in association with the RMIT College of Business. Just press play to listen.

The world is living through an unprecedented phenomenon, the decline of War, according to Edward Luttwak, former advisor to the White House Chief of Staff, who will be one of 35 speakers Melbourne this September for the inaugural Creative Innovation 2010 conference.

The world is living through an unprecedented phenomenon, the decline of War, according to Edward Luttwak, former advisor to the White House Chief of Staff, who will be one of 35 speakers Melbourne this September for the inaugural Creative Innovation 2010 conference.