News

While it may not be what immediately springs to mind when you think of diamonds, a project at the ANU is harnessing the power of synthetic diamonds to create the world's first quantum computer which can operate at room temperature. Quantum Brilliance, which is attracting international attention, is the brainchild of Canberra-born and bred Dr Andrew Horsley and his business...

Complaints by small business about internet and telephone services reached a three-year high, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Judi Jones has said in her annual report issued on 22 September. For all service types, poor customer service and problems with a bill were the most common complaints. For small businesses in regional and rural areas in particular, an inability to contact...

The office may never be the same after COVID-19. Not only is the hybrid workplace likely here to stay, but the layout, fitout and facilities of the traditional office are going to have to change. Canberra's COVID-19 lockdown has hit the national capital's office occupancy worse than other Australian cities, plummeting from 73 per cent to 8 per cent of...

Tuesday (14 September) saw the widely anticipated announcement of an extension to lockdown to 11:59 pm on 15 October, and with the Barr Government yet to reveal a specific roadmap out of lockdown, many Canberra businesses are still facing weeks of uncertainty. In response, business support grants have been topped up with eligible businesses receiving up to an extra $30,000....

Canberra's Community Bank branches have extended their existing hardship support measures to include small business and home loan customers significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new package is an extension of Bendigo Bank's support measures already in place for customers financially affected by the pandemic. Canberra Community Bank Group senior branch manager Jacob Krog says the new national support...

The time has come for Canberra's businesswomen to be seen, heard and celebrated. Nominations are now open for the 2021 Rubik3 Canberra Women in Business Awards, which will shine a light on the outstanding community spirit, innovation and tenacity of women in business during the continuing global COVID-19 pandemic. Awards president Sheena Ireland says while the Canberra community is currently...

Last week we saw tentative first steps in the ACT Government's cautious approach to bringing business back online with the resumption of some residential construction. There is still much debate surrounding the pace of the government's approach. Industry groups are urging the government to consider some remaining issues, including a lack of specific support for micro-businesses, the importance of a...

As more and more of us find ourselves working, or at least attempting to work, from home, it's important we look after our bodies as we navigate the 'unfamiliar' territory that is our bedrooms, lounge rooms and kitchens. When the COVID-19 lockdown was announced, many employees moved rapidly to a work-from-home arrangement but didn't have time to properly prepare a...

Following a spate of break-ins and robberies, Canberra business owners are being urged to take a close look at their insurance policies during the COVID-19 lockdowns. With many shops and offices left vacant, the insurance risk to business has increased, with the possibility of more break-ins, damage to property, and failing freezers or power outages leading to spoilage of stock....

Championing causes and speaking for people without a voice is something of a family trait for Canberra lawyer Kate Waterford. As the daughter of Jack Waterford, the legendary former editor-in-chief of The Canberra Times, Kate has inherited a desire to help people and also acquired her father's love of books. Kate recently purchased the Waterford's family home from her parents,...

Space tourism could lift off from Australia's first large-scale, multi-use spaceport within 18 months, according to Canberra visionary James Palmer. Plans are well underway for the development of the $350 million Space Centre Australia facility at Weipa in Queensland, led by Mr Palmer's ACT-based Palm Branch Group and its subsidiary, SpaceOz Pty Ltd. The cutting-edge facility will offer lower cost...

Healthy patients can expect to go home just one or two days after knee or hip replacement surgery following the introduction of an Enhanced Recovery Joint Replacement (ERJR) program in Canberra. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Damian Smith and his team from InMotion Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy are working with hospitals to offer patients the short-stay option. Dr Smith says patients are keen...

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has flagged an expansion to the previously announced business support measures, given the extension of the lockdown to 2 September. Many businesses across various sectors, including construction and non-essential retail, now face the prospect of being unable to operate at all or with extremely diminished turnover until at least early September. Businesses with employees are now...

In a sign of significant generational change, Snedden Hall & Gallop Lawyers has announced the appointment of three new directors to the experienced leadership team of the 60-year-old Canberra law firm. Julia Bridgewater, Emily Shoemark and Amber Wang are all senior lawyers currently practicing at Snedden Hall & Gallop. Julia has a wide range of expertise in all aspects of...

Chief Minister Andrew Barr has promised another big-spending Budget to support the Territory's economic recovery from the impacts of the pandemic and create more jobs. Mr Barr also told business leaders in his State of the Territory address today that the government would be doing all it could to attract skilled workers to the capital while overseas migration is on...

Rising Canberra-based IT outfit The Factor has boosted its public sector credentials with the addition to its leadership team of former Microsoft and Citadel Group executive Robert Hartley, who has strong defence and intelligence connections. Former Veritec chief executive Keiran Mott founded The Factor last year to provide business design, digital advisory and transformation and app development services to federal...