This Month
‘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.
- Yolanda Redrup
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.
- Ronald Mizen
November
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.
- Larry Schlesinger
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.
- Tom McIlroy
October
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.
- Lucas Baird
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.
- James Eyers
RBA puts payment industry on notice to protect shops, restaurants
Business groups including those representing the hospitality and convenience sectors worry they will be left wearing the cost of a ban on debit card fees.
- James Eyers and Lucas Baird
Labor to ban debit card payment surcharges
The Albanese government is attempting to ease financial pressure on families ahead of a federal election next year. But the change could hurt small businesses.
- James Eyers, Lucas Baird and John Kehoe
Labor accused of backtracking on small business IR review
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt flatly refuses to expand the scope of the Fair Work Act’s definition, “making a mockery” of a Labor crossbench deal.
- Updated
- David Marin-Guzman
Small business hammered by rising costs
Higher costs for energy, rent, insurance and interest rates are putting small businesses under the most financial pressure in decades, a new report concludes.
- John Kehoe
Is there any rhyme or reason to credit card surcharges?
From absolutely no fee to more than four per cent, paying for a coffee can suddenly become very costly. These cafés explain why they charge what they do.
- Lucas Baird and Gus McCubbing
Victoria slumps for business, as execs warn: ‘It’s really struggling’
CSL chairman Brian McNamee and former NAB CEO Ross McEwan warn that the state is in financial peril, as new business starts fell behind the rest of the country.
- Gus McCubbing and Patrick Durkin
July
The worrying signal small business is sending on the economy
If the sector is the canary in the coal mine, Australia’s economic growth is not looking good, according to a new economic indicator from accounting software giant MYOB.
- Ronald Mizen
Small firms fight push to force data-breach reporting
Before critical cabinet considerations of major privacy reforms, small business groups say now is not the right time to add further compliance costs.
- Tom Burton
- Exclusive
- Sussan Ley
‘Naughty and nice’ list to be created for small business payments
Late payments by large companies are estimated to cost small and medium business $7 billion a year and contribute to their failures, prompting new rules from the federal parliament.
- Ronald Mizen
May
Cobbler counts the cost of fewer feet as CBD economies lose $4.3b
Cities are getting 370,000 fewer office worker visits every day compared to pre-pandemic, which has led to CBD-based businesses struggling to make ends meet.
- Campbell Kwan
Turbocharge business investment tax break, Labor urged
Small business says Labor’s investment tax break is not ambitious enough to boost growth in the economy.
- Tom McIlroy
April
The unlikely CEO team tackling Australia’s toughest job
Bran Black and Luke Achterstraat represent business at the opposite ends of the spectrum but are determined to present a united front in Canberra.
- Patrick Durkin
‘My side hustle brings in $23k a year – without me even realising it’
Instead of trading your time for a wage, people who earn a so-called “passive income” do so with minimal input. But how easy is it really?
- Amelia Murray
‘We’ll stay off your backs’ Dutton tells business leaders
Peter Dutton has promised business leaders cheaper energy prices and less government interference under the Coalition.
- Tom McIlroy