The RBA’s November Statement on Monetary Policy revealed that Australia has fared better than expected but the recovery is “expected to be bumpy and uneven” and “highly sensitive to further virus outbreaks.” Although spending is still below levels seen prior to the pandemic, the RBA predicts that Victoria’s emergence from lockdown and policy measures such […]
As consumers demand more sustainable and ethical business operations, companies can now join forces and fight climate change collaboratively through Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition. The Priceless Planet Coalition (PPC) unites merchants, banks, cities and consumers to plant 100 million trees by 2025. It is a platform where businesses can crystallise their sustainability goals and help […]
The CSIRO has released a new report The Value of Science and Technology that lists the five main barriers to innovation in Australia and the respective solutions that businesses can adopt to overcome these challenges. The main barriers identified by the report are: Declining innovation investment: investment into R&D innovation has been declining and is […]
In a digital address to the McKell Institute today, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Technology and the Future of Work Clare O’Neil warned of the “tsunami coming for workers in predominantly male industries.” In June, Ms O’Neil outlined how COVID-19 disproportionately affected women because of the havoc it wreaked on female-dominated industries such as hospitality and […]
Tax policy under a Biden presidency may facilitate more US investment into Australia than a Trump presidency, according to the United States Studies Centre. Biden has proposed raising the corporate tax rate from 21 per cent to 28 per cent, raising personal income tax for the top individual earners from 37 per cent to 39.6 […]
The Kwinana Refinery in Western Australia will be permanently closed and converted to an import terminal, as dwindling demand puts pressure on the fuel industry’s margins. “Regional oversupply and sustained low refining margins mean the Kwinana Refinery is no longer economically viable,” said bp Australia in a media statement on Friday. This closure follows the Federal […]
Australia is technically out of a recession however this does not mean Australia’s recovery will be smooth-sailing. At a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday, RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle revealed that Australia’s economy grew in the September quarter. When asked about Victoria’s economy by Senator Bridget McKenzie, Dr Debelle surmised that Victoria’s economy appeared to […]
Businesses must invest in their online customer service as COVID-19 has driven up consumer demand for more virtual support. A LivePerson Customer Conversation Report found that 55 per cent of Australians said that they believed the online customer service of most companies could be improved. This includes providing more information online or having shorter hold […]
Diversity in the workplace is not only a pressing social concern, but is intrinsically tied to your business model. Having policies that are friendly to diverse backgrounds means that your ability to attract talent is greater, workplace culture is enhanced and you are more likely to outperform non-diverse companies. However women still only make up […]
Earlier this week, ASIC Commissioner Sean Hughes outlined ASIC’s expectation that issuers and distributors of financial products adopt a “consumer-centric” approach when designing and distributing their products. In an address to the 30th Annual Credit Law Conference, Mr Hughes provided an update on reforms since the 2019 Royal Commission, ASIC’s strategic priorities, and future credit […]
