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Small business

March

Roslyn Van Welie says too much is out of an employer’s control to enforce strict new standards that super appears in staff accounts within a week of their salary.

This ‘nightmare’ superannuation reform has small businesses worried

Small businesses owed $1.8 billion in unpaid super in 2023, now reforms aimed to make sure it is paid on time has them on edge.

Ian Cragg for a story on Non-compete clauses in employment contracts.

Ian left to start his own business. Then the legal letter arrived

Most workers forced to sign egregious work contracts are excited about Labor’s ban on anti-competition clauses – but not all.

Labor will soon roll out more election policies to benefit tradies.

Albanese says more sweeteners to come for tradies, blue-collar workers

Responding to why he failed to extend the small business $20,000 instant-asset write-off for another 12 months, the prime minister hinted there would be more news to come for plumbers, electricians and other tradies.

‘Missed opportunity’: Business underwhelmed by Chalmers’ offering

While welcoming a surprise tax cut of $536 a year for workers, business groups say the budget failed to fix stagnant productivity and the structural deficit.

Tori and Ryan Spettigue, pictured with their three children Allegra, Henry and Louis. Tori and Ryan wanted transparency and cost of living relief from the federal budget.

How this typical family will be affected (including housing worries)

Tori and Ryan Spettigue hoped for help with childcare, and they got it. Sort of. They still worry their kids won’t be able to afford to live anywhere near them when they grow up.

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AirBnB operators in Victoria could be exposed to land tax under state government changes.

Victoria starts handing out hefty bills in land tax ‘grab’

More than 400,000 people who run a small business or Airbnb from their home have been hit with hefty land tax bills under the government’s plans to rein in debt.

February

Jim Chalmers, Steven Kennedy and Angus Taylor.

Treasury boss rejects ‘politicisation’ attack by Coalition

In a fiery estimates hearing, Steven Kennedy rejected claims his department has been politicised by Jim Chalmers and filled with former Labor advisers.

Member for Wentworth and Teal, Allegra Spender has previously called for meaningful tax reform.

Teal election pivot is a sign of taxing times

It says something about the dire state of the economic policy debate when the teal Independents have more sensible things to say about tax than either major party.

From left: teal MPs Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel and Zali Steggall.

Teals must back gas to truly support small business

If the independents hold the balance in the next parliament, will they protect small businesses from unsustainable energy costs or continue prioritising ideological commitments over economic and business realities?

Teal independent Zoe Daniel.

‘It’s not 2022 anymore’: How teal MPs are reshaping their pitch

The shift in language from teal MPs to focus more on hip pocket issues such as tax over the past year tells a story about a changing political landscape.

The government wants to stop small business deduction late fees charged by the ATO.

Revolt over Labor bid to stem ATO tax break for small businesses

A fresh row has erupted over small business following attempts by the government to ram through new legislation that affects firms with tax debts.

Teal MP wants $20k tax-free threshold for small business

Sophie Scamps said she would also push for an extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses, which expires on June 30.

January

Andrew Charlton is the federal government’s special envoy for cybersecurity and digital resilience.

This Labor MP got hacked. But now it helps him with his job

Cybersecurity envoy Andrew Charlton built a multi-million dollar firm before entering politics. But it almost came crashing down after a costly online attack.

Less than a week after condemning Labor’s cost of living policies as sugar-hits, Dutton on Sunday announced a new sugar-hit of his very own: tax-deductible lunches.

Dutton’s proposal for taxpayer-funded lunches is not serious policy

Less than a week after condemning Labor’s cost-of-living policies as sugar hits, Dutton on Sunday announced a new sugar hit of his own.

December 2024

Naomi Simson started RedBalloon in 2001 and has become one of the country’s most recognisable founders.

‘A man is not a plan’: How Naomi Simson created an experiences empire

Naomi Simson founded RedBalloon in 2001 on a shoestring budget. Now she’s looking to expand the company into the international market.

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Independent MPs Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel and Monique Ryan all back tax reform, including changes to negative gearing.

Teals back more small business IR exemptions as unions baulk

In a letter to the workplace relations minister, lower-house teal MPs argued smaller firms should not be subject to the same workplace laws as big companies.

November 2024

Retention of staff with attractive benefits and competitive salaries is key to the success of HTS Constructions.

Why this FIFO construction firm ‘never loses a client’

Fostering long-term relationships with clients such as gold miner Newmont has helped this business more than double revenue to $80m in a year.

The ATO has promised a “firmer” approach to small business debt.

ATO patience runs out as small business tax debt hits $35b

The Tax Office has warned it is taking a firmer approach to unpaid debts, after going easy on stretched small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 2024

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Small businesses fear payments squeeze in surcharge ban

Business owner Rob Anderson says payment processing costs have jumped “exponentially” with 80 per cent of customers now using card and digital payments.

AMP is on track to launch its new business bank in February.

AMP eyes February for long-planned expansion into business banking

The company, which already has a major mortgage loan book, will target start-ups and sole traders as it attempts to find higher margins.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/small-business-hva