Kate Carnell, the former chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will serve as Australia’s first Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

Carnell has stepped down from her position at the Australian Chamber and will take up her new role, which will run for a five-year term, in March.

The creation of a small business ombudsman has been Coalition policy for some time, but was formally announced in the 2014 federal budget.

Former small business minister Bruce Billson argued the role was necessary in order for small businesses to access timely, affordable and effective alternative dispute resolution.

Announcing the appointment this morning, current small business minister Kelly O’Dwyer said the Ombudsman’s office will also advocate for small enterprises and play a role in developing business-friendly laws and regulations.

The minister also congratulated Carnell, saying she will bring extensive experience to the role.

“Today’s appointment is a major win for small business owners who will have access to advice and support, and an independent advocate to ensure the Government creates the right conditions for small businesses to grow,” O’Dwyer said.

“The Government acknowledges small businesses make a substantial contribution to Australia’s economy with over two million small businesses generating around a third of economic output.”

Speaking to SmartCompany this morning, Carnell said her focus as Australia’s first Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman will be to listen and talk to small business people.

“From my perspective, the role is to be a strong advocate for small business and family enterprise across the board, particularly with federal departments to ensure that laws and regulations are appropriate for small businesses and family enterprises,” Carnell says.

“We will work with various departments to reduce red tape. There’s lots of things the federal government does for small business, you’ve just got to be a genius to understand it.”

Carnell says Australia needs an effects test

Asked whether she will advocate for an effects test when she steps into her role, Carnell says she supports the reform.

“The reality is just about every country in the world has one,” she says.

“The issue is to ensure what we put in place in Australia is fit for purpose in Australia and I think it’s one of those issues that need to be addressed. We need an effects test, we just need to get the words right.”

Carnell also says her previous experience as a small business owner will help shape her role.

“When you’ve actually had your house riding on it [your business] and you’ve had to employ people and all the things that go with running your business, it certainly changes your perspective,” she says.

“Also I come from a family of small business people. My dad ran a domestic building company for all his life and my brother runs a building company as well. My son also recently bought a restaurant. So there’s a pedigree there.”

Small business community welcomes Carnell’s appointment

Peter Strong, the chief executive of the Council of Small Business of Australia. told SmartCompany Carnell is the right person for the job given her previous experience in politics as well as running her own small business.

“COSBOA has been calling for an ombudsman for our sector since 1977 when our association was first formed by concerned small business supporters,” Strong says.

“No other group has called for such a position until more recent years, so it seems that patience pays off. Kate Carnell is a great selection.”

This article was sourced directly from www.smartcompany.com.au 

The CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), Ms Pauline Vamos, has announced today that after eight and a half years in the role she has decided that the time is right to step down.

The ASFA Board will shortly commence recruitment for her replacement and have asked Pauline to stay until at least 30 June 2016, to ensure an orderly transition.

“With passion, drive and energy second to none, Pauline’s enormous contribution to public policy debate during her time at ASFA has been outstanding. Drawing on her experience across various areas of financial services, Pauline has been a key advocate for broadening the superannuation discussion to include insurance, investment governance and advice and has been a strong proponent of industry self-regulation,” said ASFA Chair, Dr Michael Easson, on behalf of the board.

“The development of good public policy is one thing, but the ability to successfully advocate for the right retirement outcomes for Australians is quite another. The board expresses deep thanks to Pauline for her tireless efforts in this regard over the past eight years,” concluded Dr Easson.

“I am very proud of the significant contribution I have made not only to ASFA as an organisation but also to ASFA members and to superannuation policy generally,” said Ms Vamos.

“I am choosing to leave at a time when the leadership and management team are strong and highly skilled. Our people are ASFA’s greatest asset and for a small team, we are able to punch well above our weight. It is this that has allowed us to enjoy the success we have achieved in recent years—particularly in influencing policy, lifting industry standards through our learning programs, delivering our renowned world-class annual conference and engaging with other pension systems globally.

“Whilst this has been a hard decision, it has been made easier knowing that ASFA is in such good shape. I thank the board for their support and look forward to watching the organisation continue to grow in influence and success,” concluded Ms Vamos.

For further information, please contact:

Adele Gilbert, Media Manager, 0451 949 300.

This media release was directly sourced from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia website here. 

Changing Capital Gains Tax (CGT) isn’t the answer to address housing affordability and supply

problems, said the Housing Industry Association (HIA) – the voice of Australia’s residential

building industry.

“Improving housing affordability and home ownership rates needs to be a focus of all parties in

the upcoming federal election,” says HIA Chief Executive Industry Policy and Media, Graham

Wolfe.

“Yesterday’s announcement by the Opposition that it intends to halve the capital gains

discount on investment properties will, in our view, not achieve these objectives.”

“Reducing the CGT discount, which is an important measure to recognise the net present

value of an asset, will push investment away from Australia’s housing sector.”

“The Henry Tax review rightly concluded that addressing the supply side impediments to new

housing had to be the priority focus, including: reducing stamp duty; alleviating land supply

restrictions; addressing onerous planning controls; and delivering housing infrastructure in an

equitable and timely manner.”

“Research conducted by Independent Economics on behalf of the HIA – using a model also

applied by the Commonwealth Treasury - confirmed that restricting access to negative gearing

for residential property would reduce investment in housing, erode housing affordability and

put upward pressure on rents.”

“The priority for tax reform of housing must be to reduce the tax burden on new home buyers.

The level of taxation on a new house and land package can be up to 44% of the final price,

which far outweighs the positive benefits to investment in new housing to support the rental

market, of the current CGT or negative gearing regimes.”

“Now is a pivotal time for investment in new housing, which has implications for affordability

and the broader economy, with starts expected to decline over the year ahead. Any changes

to taxation with respect to housing must be aimed at boosting housing supply, and reducing

the overall tax burden on the sector.”

Media contact:

Graham Wolfe, Chief Executive Industry Policy and Media, 0419 751 188

Greg Weller, National Director Communications, 0438 846 752 

This media release was directly sourced from the Housing Industry Association website here. 

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has launched a new national graduate mentoring program to help veterinary students make a successful transition to the profession.

AVA CEO, Graham Catt, said that being a veterinary graduate vet can be challenging, particularly in the first year.

“A first role as a qualified vet can involve long hours and some confronting issues. This can be compounded for those graduates working in remote locations, without much support around them.”

“This program will help ensure veterinary graduates make a positive transition to a wonderful profession, reach their potential and are happy in their jobs,” Mr Catt said.

The AVA mentoring program has already attracted 250 mentors and 283 mentees across Australia.

“We use specialised software to provide an online match. We consider both career aspirations as well as areas of interest that both the mentee and mentor share.

During the 12-month program, mentors and mentees are expected to have monthly contact as a minimum and all mentors undergo training before being assigned a mentee.

The program gives mentors, especially those who work part-time or those who have retired, an opportunity to get involved and give back to the profession.

Although it is a 12-month program, it is expected that many relationships will continue informally long after that.

“Supporting veterinarians is the core role of our association. This program is an important step in developing and sustaining the professional careers of veterinarians,” Mr Catt said.

The program started in Western Australia before being rolled out nationally. Participants of the WA program have reported a number of benefits from their participation including improved confidence, self-awareness, clearer career direction, better communication skills, listening skills, feedback skills and enhanced management skills.

“Our new program is designed to support veterinarians entering the profession”, he said. “But we see mentoring and support as being much greater than this. Veterinarians will face many career transitions and challenges over their professional lives, and we want the AVA to provide a mentor or partner at every stage of their career.”

The AVA Graduate Mentoring Program is sponsored by, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Royal Canin Australia and Guild.

To find out more visit http://www.ava.com.au/mentoring

This media release was sourced directly from the Australian Veterinary Association.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has called on all levels of government to proactively reduce and prevent incidents of elder abuse occurring in residential aged care facilities.

In its report ‘Who will keep me safe? Elder Abuse in Residential Aged Care’, the NSWNMA identifies the provision of adequate staffing and skill-mix as the top priority for aged care providers to help tackle the issue of resident to resident and resident to staff abuse.

Acting General Secretary of the NSWNMA, Judith Kiejda, said a recent survey of aged care sector members had uncovered major concerns about the prevalence and management of elder abuse.

“Our members have confirmed that resident to resident abuse accounts for a large percentage of incidents observed in these aged care settings,” Ms Kiejda said.

“More than 20 per cent of aged care nurses we spoke to said they witnessed resident to resident abuse once or twice a week, while almost 30 per cent had seen some form of resident to staff abuse in the same period.

“Alarmingly, more than 90 per cent of nurses surveyed have been subject to some form of aggression from residents in their workplace.

“We’re talking about physical abuse such as hitting, pushing, kicking, as well as verbal abuse in these residential aged care facilities.

“A key problem identified is that this sort of behaviour has become normalised in the aged care sector.

“Not all incidents of elder abuse are being reported, management may not be taking steps to prevent or reduce these incidents and some aged care providers simply leave it to the ‘too hard’ basket.”

The NSWNMA report said most people who suffer abuse within residential aged care facilities were residents or staff, caused by those who lack power or are most at risk of abuse themselves. For example, people with cognitive impairment who are unlikely to be held accountable for their actions.

“The current reporting of elder abuse in residential aged care settings in NSW requires urgent change,” said Ms Kiejda.

“We are calling for better staff training and the establishment of a federal regulatory framework so that aged care providers clearly understand what constitutes elder abuse and outlines best practices to eliminate it.”

Ms Kiejda said the NSWNMA would highlight the concerns of its members and the findings of its report during an upcoming public hearing of the NSW Legislative Council’s ‘Inquiry into Elder Abuse in NSW’.

The NSWNMA confirmed it would continue to campaign to eliminate elder abuse from residential aged care settings and raise awareness on the issues affecting older Australians and their caregivers.

Read the full report here: Elder Abuse in Residential Aged Care

This media release was directly sourced from the NSW Nurses & Midwives' Association website here.

The CBAA welcomes its newest Board Member, Anne Frankenberg, who will join the existing board in a casual vacancy for the remainder of 2016.

CBAA President Phillip Randall looks forward to having Frankenberg’s input as part of the Board this year:

 “It is my pleasure to welcome Anne Frankenberg as the CBAA’s newest Board Member. Off the back of a successful tenure as the general manager of Melbourne’s fine music station 3MBS, as well as extensive not-for-profit governance and management experience in the performing arts, Anne brings a wealth of valuable experience to the table.”

“Anne’s appointment follows a fantastic response to our call for applicants, receiving 20 high quality applications from within and outside the sector and robust shortlisting and interviewing process. We thank everyone who expressed interest in the role.”

Frankenberg, too, is excited to join the Board:

"The energy, vibrancy and diversity of the community radio sector have made my years leading 3MBS among the most rewarding in my career. I'm honoured to have the opportunity to give back to the sector by serving on the CBAA Board, and I look forward to working to support its role as a voice and resource for community radio."

Anne Frankenberg has been General Manager at 3MBS, Melbourne’s fine music community radio station since 2012. Trained initially as a clarinettist, Anne has degrees in Music and Psychology, and an Executive MBA. She has held management roles with the Victoria State Opera, Opera Australia, and International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA), was founding General Manager of Victorian Opera, and has served on the Boards of the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. In March 2016, Anne will take up the position of Deputy General Manager at the Australian National Academy of Music.

Frankenberg joins existing Board members Phillip Randall (President), Melanie Withnall (Vice President), Peter Rohweder, Jean Rau, Natalie Pozdeev and Tony Smythe, along with youth and women’s representatives Tess Lawley and Bethany Atkinson-Quinton.

The CBAA champions community broadcasting by building stations’ capability and creating a healthy environment for the sector to thrive.

This media release was sourced directly from Community Broadcasing Association of Australia.

We are calling on all Australians to know how to help Ovarian Cancer Australia reduce the impact of ovarian cancer and improve the outcomes for women and their families living with this insidious disease. By hosting an Afternoon Teal event, you are helping your loved ones know the signs and symptoms of the disease and know their family history.

Our Afternoon Teal campaign – teal being the international colour for ovarian cancer – encourages people to host a fundraising event for their friends, family or colleagues. Whether it’s a high tea, picnic, golf day or gala dinner, anybody and everybody can get involved!

Ovarian Cancer Australia relies on our fundraising community to be able to help us continue to deliver our awareness, support, advocacy and research programs. In fact, Ovarian Cancer Australia is the only national organisation that provides direct support to those living with ovarian cancer – that is, the women experiencing the disease as well as their loved ones – through support groups, phone support, online resources and more.

This information was sourced directly from Ovarian Cancer Australia. 

Please visit their website for more details here. 

Phillipa Tocker, Executive Director for Museums Aotearoa, admits the first joint conference between Museums Aotearoa and Museums Australia is “quite a step up for us”. The inaugural Museums Australasia is set to take place 16-18 May 2016 at the Aotea Centre, Auckland, attracting predominantly New Zealand and Australian museum and art gallery professionals, as well as some Pacific museum colleagues.

“We keep having to revise the numbers as we are getting such an enthusiastic response. The New Zealand conference usually attracts up to 260 people and we are expecting at least 500,” Tocker says. “We have received nearly 200 proposals for content and we’re now having to wrangle that into three days. That’s a really good challenge to have, people obviously want to be involved.”

She says one of the main reasons for this is the high-level education - with keynote speakers from the US, Canada, Australia and Singapore - and networking opportunities happening close to home. “This is a chance to attend a fully-fledged educational and personal development conference without the expense and time of going offshore. That can’t be underestimated. We are in non-profit organisations in a non-profit environment, so funding for these opportunities is always tight. Usually fewer than 10 from New Zealand go to Museums Australia. The greater the number of New Zealand museum professionals able to learn in an international context, the better for our industry. This is a real opportunity to make connections.”

The theme for the 2016 event is ‘Facing the future – local, global and Pacific possibilities’. Tocker notes: “The idea of what a museum or gallery is now differs from even 10 years ago, so we need to think differently about how we adapt and develop. On both sides of the Tasman we agreed as a profession we have things we can learn from each other and have shared challenges to negotiate. By talking to each other we can all do it better.”

The confidence to go ahead

The initial suggestion of holding a combined event grew out of a conversation at breakfast at a Museums Australia conference a few years back. But Tocker says support from Tourism New Zealand helped give them the confidence to make the leap.

“Museums Aotearoa only has two permanent staff, so it was quite a big challenge for us. We appreciated the support from the Conference Assistance Programme (CAP) to know we could make it work. We had to make the numbers stack up. We had assistance from Tourism New Zealand and the Auckland Convention Bureau to work out the budget and whether we could afford to do it, and what we could offer in terms of logistics and programme content. We received marketing support and help with our bid document, as well as help finding a PCO, as our annual conference had not been at a size where we needed to use one before.

“The CAP also helped fund some trans-Tasman airfares and accommodation. I presented our bid at a Museums Australia council meeting and they agreed in principle to go ahead. Then a colleague and I went to Museums Australia in Sydney this year to have more in-depth discussions on content. Tourism New Zealand helped us there, too, with an updated presentation and marketing collateral to promote the 2016 event - including postcards and chocolate fish, which went down well!

“As well as the cash to make the connections it was good to know there was someone who said ‘you can do this, and here are all the ways you can step up from something lower-key and in-house to a whole new level’. Having that support meant we had the confidence to go ahead with it.”

New Zealand’s great work on show

Tocker adds that the benefits go beyond individual members, too. “This event is good for the profile of museums in New Zealand. Individual institutions get media coverage but this is an opportunity to show our collective strength - particularly in terms of central and local government, our primary stakeholders in terms of funding. It will show that we are a mature and professional sector making a successful contribution in its own right.”

The programme will include education and keynote presentations at Aotea Centre, then in-house presentations at local museums and galleries to showcase local innovations. Pre and post extended tours will also take place, as well as an indigenous hui for Maori, Pacific and Aboriginal attendees. “Other countries look to New Zealand as a model of bicultural engagement within the business and content of museums,” Tocker adds. “People are very interested in how that works and why it works. Also, because we are relatively small, we are not overburdened with bureaucracy so we are quite nimble and we can be very responsive and innovative. This is a great opportunity to show the great work we've been doing here as well as looking at and learning from the fantastic work happening in other places.”

For further information about Tourism New Zealand please visit www.businessevents.newzealand.com

The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHA) is questioning the rush to sign the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement and says there remain too many unanswered questions; too much public unease; and a palpable lack of detailed analysis for us to be adding our signature so quickly.

“We may be flattered to have been selected as the country where the TPP will be signed in February, but that shouldn’t distract us from the very real questions and concerns around this agreement,” says PHA Chief Executive Warren Lindberg.

“Disquiet has been prominent in the news of late, coming from a number of fronts including copyright and education. This indicates that full analysis of just what this agreement will cost the

various sectors has not been done.

“There has also been very little legal or academic analysis or commentary. The document amounts

to 6000 or more complex pages and has been public knowledge for far too short a time for proper

analysis, so why we’re so hell bent on signing is perplexing.”

Media reports indicate the US Congress is not likely to sign the TPP it until after federal elections in

November and indications are that US lawmakers will want substantive changes.

“Even if you don’t accept that the TPP is already a potential time bomb for New Zealand, it just

doesn’t make sense to sign an international agreement that could well change to our detriment,”

Lindberg says

Instead the PHA is suggesting New Zealand takes the valuable few months it still has and that the

agreement be sent to Select Committee so thorough public and political analysis can take place

before anything is signed.

“There has been no official opportunity for people to comment, or for issues specific to New Zealand to have been analysed in detail,” Lindberg says.

“Considering the widespread and substantial misgivings around the TPP and the time we have up

our sleeve, there is nothing to stop us doing this.”

Lindberg says arguments that most of the population is happy with the agreement, or that those

opposed are just anti-trade, are either seriously misinformed or disingenuous. He says the PHA and others are in favour of international trade where it doesn’t impinge on the real or potential

wellbeing of New Zealand’s people.

“We’re most concerned with the health implications, such as the cost and accessibility of

pharmaceuticals – and other issues that would impact our health system and how we combat

inequalities here at home. These are real issues we’re struggling with even before this deal becomes a done thing.”

Lindberg says the ISDS clauses which can be used by multinationals to sue governments also remain a serious concern, with the latest example being energy firm TransCanada Corp suing the Obama Government for its withdrawal from an oil agreement.

“We may think that barring big tobacco from using the ISDS clauses has put the issue to bed. It

hasn’t, and there remain plenty of other multinationals prepared to further their own interests at

the expense of smaller economies like ours – such as big pharma, big food and big energy.

“If we act in haste now, the repenting we do at leisure may well be very unpleasant. The Government has both the time and the means to ensure the TPP is more thoroughly examined and

should not waste what opportunity there is left.”

This media release was directly sourced from the Public Health Association of New Zealand website here. 

Contact: Warren Lindberg 021 165 7920

Applications for funding from the community grants schemes administered by Horowhenua District Council have opened.

The Horowhenua Community Development Grant, Community Consultation Grant and the Creative Communities Grant invites applications for round two of the 2015/2016 financial year, closing at 5pm on Monday 29 February.

The Community Development Grant provides local non-profit organisations with funding for events, projects and operating costs. $25,000 is available in this funding round.

The Community Consultation Grant provides funding to resident and ratepayers associations. $5000 is available in this round.

And, the Creative Communities Grant is a national scheme, funded by Creative New Zealand and administrated by local government authorities. It provides arts funding to local groups and individuals. $15,325 is available in this round.

Applications for all of the grant schemes must be for projects or costs that begin from April 2016 onwards.

Horowhenua District Mayor Brendan Duffy says that all three community grant schemes are a vital contributor to not-for-profit organisations operating in the District.

“We have a tireless volunteer community here. November’s Civic Honours awards ceremony was an excellent reflection of that. These grants are just one way we operate to support the immeasurable work of our non-profit sector on an ongoing basis,” Mayor Duffy said.

For criteria and to download application forms for any of the grant schemes, visit www.horowhenua.govt.nz/grants

This media release was directly sourced from Scoop NZ website here.