March 2016 Issue 113

With close to 10 years of working experience in the Australian Third Sector, I have come to learn that the sector is a dynamic, vibrant, and meaningful place to work, where people share the common vision that is, to make a difference. However, most of them struggle with basic administration tasks like documentation, bookkeeping and/or accounting. Among the difficulties organisations...

It has now been over four years since the Personal Properties Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA) took substantive effect on 30 January 2012.However, many businesses remain oblivious to the PPSA and the serious consequences that can follow its oversight. So what is the PPSA and what is the risk in ignoring it? The PPSA established a new, national system for...

Keeping costs under control and saving money. It's what smart businesses do, so here's some advice. If you operate a business (outside the home), have fewer than 10 full-time equivilant staff or electricity bills under $20,000 (incl GST), it's worth exploring Actsmart's Small Business Energy and Water program. Actsmart will provide your business with a FREE energy and water assessment...

The Family Law Act requires that, when a Court is making a decision about parenting orders after separation, it must apply a presumption of "equal shared parental responsibility" (ESPR), unless there has been abuse or family violence. Sometimes parents think that this is a presumption in favour of "equal time" or week about arrangements after separation. That is not the...

Starting a new business is an exciting time. Although cash flow can be tight when starting out, this is an important time to receive professional advice, as it limits the risk of unintended issues arising later. What are the legal issues / advice / documents you will need before you start your business? There is no such thing as "one...

Many Australians that are getting close to retirement have more money tied up in the family home than they have in income producing assets that they will need to fund their retirements with. While the family home is exempt from capital gains tax, it is a non-income producing asset and will require a substantial amount of money to maintain each...

A new report by Hays, The DNA of an HRD, polls HR directors on what it takes to get to the top, with stakeholder engagement voted as the most important skill to have. For the report Hays spoke to 461 HR directors in Australia and New Zealand. The results show that 64% of HRDs are women, while HRDs are typically...

In February, it cost $7 million to air a 30-second ad during the United States 'Super Bowl'. The cost of making these ads can be millions more and many ads are aired just once and not seen again. Crazy right? Well, maybe. The event had an enormous audience of well over 100 million viewers. It also had a spectacular half...

If you have been paying close attention to the strata title property market in recent years, you may have heard the term "volumetric subdivision". If you haven't heard of it you soon will. As far as Canberra is concerned, property can come in two simple forms; either a single title piece of land or a unit in a strata titled...

Twenty-five leading business and government experts will converge at the National Museum of Australia on 6 April to discuss how change management can transform business, government, and public-private partnerships. The conference 'Convergence - optimising your organisational change' is endorsed by the professional international association, the Change Management Institute and convened and funded by Red grass Communications. "We're going to tackle...

As the number of Australians diagnosed with dementia continues to increase, it is important for all parties to understand how the effects of dementia may potentially alter the outcomes of Wills and estate planning. A recent case in the Supreme Court of Victoria casts a light on the impact of dementia in family law matters and its effects on future...

Canberra's job market recovery is progressing positively and steadily, with recruitment activity increasing sharply and niche candidate markets are looking to make good on skill shortages. Summarised below are some of the highlights in the numbers followed by our observations and insight. National Outlook The numbers There have been significant increases in jobs advertised on SEEK. NSW/VIC/ACT are up on...

You are invited to be a part of a new era at GIO Stadium with Brumbies Rugby reinvigorating the game day and corporate hospitality experience in 2016. Enjoy world class rugby live and up close and experience their new and improved corporate hospitality offerings. The Brumbies commercial team have revamped and redesigned each event space at the stadium in a...