Expert Advice

Directors have indicated their overwhelming support for the need for broad tax reform, and expressed concern that public policy debate in Australia is "poor quality", according to a new survey. The bi-annual Director Sentiment Index compiled by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) found that GST reform was the top priority for any comprehensive review of the taxation system...

The internet has become one of the primary means by which businesses can connect with their customers; but when creating or updating your website, the law of copyright should always be a primary consideration if you want to avoid the risk of unexpected liability. Photographs, for example, can very easily be searched and viewed online. However by law, the exclusive...

If you own an investment property, there's every chance you may have had to deal with a rogue tenant - they might not pay their rent on time, they might damage your property, and perhaps worst of all, they could be difficult to evict. How do you deal with these tenants? Here are a few simple tips that could help:...

With rapidly advancing technological change, increasing business reliance on personal identity details and the growth in transient population movement, theft of personal information is becoming increasingly prevalent. As a direct result, over the past few years there has been an increased incidence of identity crime. Identity crime generates significant profits for offenders and causes considerable financial losses to the Australian...

One day, I was watching the Discovery Channel with my four-year-old son Charlie when he asked, "Why does the big fish eat the small one?" Having gone through so many life experiences compared to my son, it seemed like a natural phenomenon because that's just the way things are in business too. Big companies are able to yield more power...

Are you making the most of all the benefits and strategies at your disposal to build your retirement savings? Will you have enough to retire on? Are your other assets working hard enough? Not sure? SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP CREATE YOUR IDEAL RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE 1. Are you taking advantage of super rules to boost your retirement savings? Australian super rules...

If you are the owner of a small business it is essential that you plan your exit strategy around one of the four capital gains tax (CGT) concessions available on the sale of small business assets. These concessions can be extremely effective in reducing your tax liability, especially when the sale of the business or asset is connected with your...

Yes, it sounds a bit dramatic, but if your website is not mobile friendly, the latest Google algorithm could significantly affect your ranking on Google's search engine. In Australia, over 90% of searches are done on Google. It's never been more critical for websites to be mobile friendly. If you don't do something about this now, it is likely to...

The day will inevitably come when it's time to move on from your current organisation and take up a fresh challenge elsewhere. However, the way you leave your employer is important and you must ensure you leave on good terms, as how you leave is often how you are remembered. Leaving one organisation to start a new challenge elsewhere can...

Starting a new business is an exciting time. A difficulty may be getting all necessary legal advice, and mechanisms in place prior to starting. Although cash flow can be tight when starting out, this is an important time to receive professional advice, as it may limit the risk of unintended issues arising later. What are the legal issues / advice...

Do I need permission from the other parent or a Court to move with my children? Parents need to be aware that if you move within Australia without the other parent's consent or a court order, the other parent may apply for a recovery order in the family law courts seeking to have the children returned. If a recovery order...

The Print Logistics industry is undergoing continual change - if we accept that "print is not dead", then we are told that today's choice is either Digital or Offset printing. The reality is that there remains a role for both, and the choice is not so much "which one" but "which one is right for this job". Traditional Offset printing...

In early April, the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) released a statement calling on all boards to ensure that at least 30% of directors are female, and urged all listed companies to achieve this target by 2018. In launching this target, AICD's Managing Director and CEO, John Brogden, said the new objective is a significant extension of previous diversity...

The hot Australian summers are perfect pool weather, so it might not be surprising to learn that Australia has the highest pool ownership per capita - there's around 1.2 million private pools currently installed and thirty thousand new pools being installed each year1. But, aside from the countless hours of enjoyment you and your family could experience with a pool,...

Business relationships; when they're good, they're great, reaping financial rewards and mutual benefits for all parties involved. But what about when they're sour, and what was once a productive working relationship becomes a burden? As we approach the end of the financial year, now is the time to take stock of your existing contracts and consider how do you go...

"…In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." So said Benjamin Franklin in his famously quoted phrase regarding a fledgling American Constitution. However, fledgling relationships, be they domestic or commercial, rarely take into account such matters - particularly if by 'death' we think in a more expanded way about the 'end' of that relationship....