News

More Australian banks are now offering home and business loan relief to assist both personal and business customers affected by COVID-19. Initially, relief packages were offered only by the 'big four' banks, but more Australian Banking Association member banks have now agreed to participate, including AMP Bank, Bank Australia, Bank of Queensland, HSBC, Macquarie Bank, Suncorp Bank, and Bendigo and...

Following the statement from the World Health Organisation formally declaring the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic, and the new restrictions announced by federal, state and territory governments, there is growing uncertainty over the impact and length of time businesses will be feeling its effects. allinsure Managing Director Peter Chamberlain says now is the time for business to be looking to...

Government advice and direction about social distancing appears to be changing daily, and each new direction brings new issues and challenges for businesses, with one of the biggest being around obligations to staff. Snedden Hall & Gallop Senior Associate and Head of Employment Law Emily Shoemark recommends businesses do their homework before they engage with their staff during the current...

Professional services providers in accounting, insurance and business support services are urging business to be pragmatic and proactive in order to survive the COVID-19 crisis and protect their businesses. Most businesses have already made changes to adapt to operating in an environment of social distancing but there's more they can do to emerge from the crisis in good shape. Rubik3...

As the shutdown of non-essential businesses takes hold, the Canberra Business Chamber says more support is needed for Canberra businesses. “New restrictions that shut down 'non-essential service' businesses such as clubs, hotels and restaurants will decimate an industry that has been dealing with a severe downturn for months,” said Chamber Interim CEO Graham Catt. "There's no way to sugar coat...

Canberra’s 21,000-strong small business community has free dispute resolution support at its fingertips thanks to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, which may also be able to assist Canberra businesses through its advocacy work. ASBFEO’s recent Access to Justice Inquiry found small and family businesses are spending $130,000 on average to resolve disputes through the court system, and...

Ask Tony Pantano the secret to building a successful plumbing business and he'll smile and tell you it is simple: make a commitment to deliver the best job possible. Tony's talking about O'Neill & Brown Plumbing, a family-owned company established in Queanbeyan 50 years ago. From modest beginnings, O'Neill & Brown Plumbing has now evolved into one of Canberra’s largest...

The insurance broking industry is about to celebrate its best and brightest at the Insurance Business Australia Awards. Finalists were announced earlier this month, and it's a sign you're doing something right as a business when you and your team are named as finalists in six categories. In fact, almost all Canberra's finalists can be found at the one insurance...

It's said that one-third of small-to-medium-sized businesses fail in their first year of operation and half fail in their second year. So when Canberra business face2face Recruitment turned 15 this year, owner Kate Prior and her 24 staff popped the cork on the champagne. Kate knew she was daring when she opened the business. It meant she had to quit...

The ACT Government's $137 million coronavirus stimulus package announced today includes rebates on residential rates to help ease cashflow pressures for Canberra households, and a freeze on a number of government fees and charges. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the economic survival package was the first phase in the Government's plan to protect as many jobs as possible and...

An ACT coronavirus economic stimulus package this week will be augmented by more measures in the June budget, followed by a mini-budget after the October election, no matter who wins government. Chief Minister Andrew Barr is in the process of framing the stimulus package which will be aimed at providing relief for affected businesses, keeping people in jobs and bringing...

For a quarter of a century, the Telstra Business Women's Awards program has recognised outstanding women, helped progress their careers and business ideas, and built a support network of like-minded people to learn, grow and connect with. Many of the most successful women in business have one thing in common, they are pioneers who use their own unique business approach...

Among rural landholders at Warri between Braidwood and Bungendore at the height of the North Black Range fire last year, Karen Anderson was well prepared with a plan. As flames and smoke approached her 200-acre block where she has lived for 10 years in a two-storey purpose-built shed, she swung into action. Not only were her home, 22 head of...

Australia’s fitness and health pacesetter Viva Leisure has posted a blockbuster financial performance for the first half of 2020. First-half revenue of $23 million is up 52.7 per cent on the previous corresponding period, while net profit after tax (NPAT) hit $2.81 million, a 121.2 per cent increase on the previous year. The Canberra-based rising star of the stock exchange’s...

A long-term plan to develop skills and training and more infrastructure spending in business districts outside of the CBD and town centres top the list of concerns revealed in a Canberra Business Chamber survey of their members. Businesses also back the Chamber's call for a dedicated ACT Government Minister for Business and a single business advice agency to make it...

A Canberra tech firm has won a $1 million Commonwealth grant to apply its artificial intelligence product to help protect Australia from biosecurity threats at the point of entry on the nation's docks. Deakin-based Trellis Data is one of six businesses granted $1 million each under the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) to develop their solutions. Trellis's AI product...