News

With a year of successful trading to the public under its belt, Farrah’s Liquor Collective has moved into the next phase of its venture: wholesale. Owner Matt Farrah says championing small business was always part of the plan, from giving micro-producers representation by stocking them on shelves at its Fyshwick store to helping local vendors access unique products at exceptional...

The Canberra Business Chamber has welcomed a dedicated business minister in Andrew Barr's new cabinet, and will continue pushing for tax relief and a relaxation of coronavirus restrictions. CEO Graham Catt said having someone in Cabinet who understands Canberra's diverse business sector and is able to consider how government decisions might affect those businesses was vital. Labor's Tara Cheyne has...

Australian public servants have welcomed the end of a six-month wage freeze, but could the decision add pressure to private sector businesses already doing it tough and how will the ACT economy benefit, if at all? According to Kris Milne, account executive at Canberra recruitment agency Effective People, private sector businesses will have to find ways to compete with the...

ACT WorkSafe Commissioner Jacqueline Agius has been in the job for six months but is motivated by the scars from a serious workplace incident more than 25 years ago to ensure compliance with work, health and safety laws so other workers aren't at risk. "It was a serious occupational violence incident," Ms Agius told Region Media, recalling a knife attack...

Transport accounts for 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions and is the largest and fastest-growing source of emissions globally. It's the same story here in Canberra, with privately owned transportation being the single biggest contributor. The reason is simple: Canberrans like to drive. Innovation is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, which is why local energy retailer...

As a child of the Stolen Generation who used to hunt rabbits to feed his family, Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt knows how important opportunity and leadership are for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people, which is why he was on hand to open Canberra's first Indigenous Business Precinct this week. The new Precinct in Fyshwick will assist Indigenous...

The recent Federal Budget outlined a generous package of stimulatory measures aimed at enticing small business to invest. With tempting offers on the table, such as the opportunity to buy new vehicles or equipment, businesses have to decide whether to allocate their precious resources and invest in an unknown economic future. In the Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced that...

With an ad featuring an array of tempting locations aiming to convince Australians to never go back to the office, Synergy Group's creativeXpeople won The Pitch competition on this week's episode of the ABC's Gruen. Marking the team's third entry on the show, Synergy Group creative director Jason Perelson says this was the team's first full win. "We shared the...

The ACT Government proposal to replace the current Employment Agent Licensing Scheme with a new labour hire licensing scheme is designed to enforce compliance with employer and workplace obligations. But it may need further scrutiny, and federal and state organisations responsible for compliance may need to work together to ensure an effective national scheme prevents unscrupulous or disreputable companies operating,...

What do Colombia, Yass and Strathnairn all have in common? Coffee with a mission! With the help of Six8 Coffee Roasting and The Mill House Ventures, two experienced social entrepreneurs have returned from Colombia and re-started their social enterprise cafes in Strathnairn and Yass. Cafe Stepping Stone, located in Strathnairn, and Six8 Coffee in Yass, are on a mission to...

Canberra's leading training institutions and employers have been recognised at the ACT Training Awards. The virtual, COVID-safe event was an opportunity to highlight the innovation, outstanding achievements, and commitment of organisations and individuals in the ACT vocational education and training (VET) sector. Winners in some categories will go on to compete for national recognition at the Australian Training Awards. This...

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has announced plans to overhaul insolvency rules in an effort to help small businesses that are struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic. The changes will apply to businesses with liabilities of less than $1 million and would see small business owners remain in control of their company and assets, rather than immediately being placed in the...

For some people it is a dream to work for themselves, a desire to make an exciting idea real. Some of these people will jump into the deep end without a second thought, but others are left with the weight of the security of their day jobs which may see their vision of becoming a business owner slip away. Canberra...

Dave Winmill didn't take the traditional route to become a wine connoisseur. The 26-year-old is now a trusted name in the Canberra wine scene, but five years ago he couldn't tell the difference between a shiraz and a cabernet sauvignon. "I had to be very upfront with people about my lack of knowledge," says Dave. "The thing that improved my...

Bayldon Ag does many things aside from selling top quality farming and agricultural equipment. They sponsor the Canberra Cavs, and they're heavily involved in their community, fundraising continuously for charity and causes. The business is a prime example of giving everyone a fair go, and supporting people and causes, from having a 'tap and donate' point to support a charity...

Twenty five years ago, a group of Canberra women had a good idea to create an organisation founded by women and run solely for women to provide support and development opportunities for businesswomen in the Canberra region. Canberra Women in Business (CWB) was born. "There were not a lot of options for women in business in 1992," says CWB president...