Archive for July, 2007
A new free product, the Growing your business checklist, developed to help small business owners make their small businesses more successful, was launched today by Small Business Fran Bailey.
The Growing your business checklist covers many issues that small business owners need to know when growing their businesses, such as: exporting, innovation, obtaining finance, franchising, grants and assistance, legal help, recruiting staff and environmental management.
The Checklist, developed by the Office of Small Business in close consultation with small business owners, is free and downloadable at www.business.gov.au.
“Small business is booming in Australia. The number of employing small businesses has grown by more than 31 per cent since June 2003. The next step is to help these businesses grow to become even more successful,” Fran Bailey told small businesses at the Australian Car Wash Convention.
“Through this Checklist, the Australian Government is providing the most up-to-date information for small business owners to grow their business. By helping small business to grow, we can create more jobs and earn Australia more export dollars.
“This handy tool is yet another example of the Australian Government’s strong commitment to helping small business to grow and prosper.”
Co-owner of the Hand Wash Café, Chris Johns, congratulated the Australian Government on developing the Growing your Business Checklist, saying “this fantastic product will assist owners who are looking to improve their operations or take the steps towards growth,” Mr Johns said.
Australian Car Wash Association president, Greg Boston, said the “the Growing your Business Checklist is a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to small business.”
Further information, please visit www.business.gov.au/checklist.
July 31st, 2007
Figures released today by the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP, Minister for Workforce Participation, show that the number of people receiving unemployment benefits nationally fell by 28,906 people (5.3 per cent) between June 2006 and June 2007.
“There are 17,186 fewer long-term unemployed welfare recipients, a fall of 5.3 per cent. These are people who have been receiving income support payments for 12 months or more,” Minister Stone said.
Dr Stone said the drop in unemployment benefit recipients reflected the strong performance of providers of Australian Government employment services, which help people to move from welfare into work.
Between June 2006 and June 2007, the number of job seekers in New South Wales fell by 8.0 per cent (10,414), Victoria recorded a fall of 10.0 per cent (9,023), South Australia fell by 7.8 per cent (2,453), Queensland fell by 16.5 per cent (11,198), Tasmania recorded a fall of 9.2 per cent (1,224), in the Australian Capital Territory the number fell by 31.3 per cent (1,077), Northern Territory fell by 3.8 per cent (193) and Western Australia recorded a fall of 22.2 per cent (5,797).
“The Howard Coalition Government’s strong economic management has resulted in the generation of over 2.1 million (2 130 500) new jobs since March 1996, over half (1 230 000) of which have been full-time positions,” Dr Stone said.
The Job Network has helped over 645,500 people find a job in the twelve months to end June alone. Of these jobs, over 124,400 have been for young Australians, aged 20 years or less, 131 100 have been for mature aged job seekers (aged 45+ years) and 84,200 jobs have been found for Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
As part of the $3.7 billion Welfare to Work package, the Howard Government is investing $1.9 billion to deliver greater employment services and other assistance, including rehabilitation, long- and short-term wage subsidies, funds to modify workplaces to meet the needs of people with disability, upskilling and training of job seekers, and additional child care places.
“These new figures reflect the success of the Howard Government’s approach to helping unemployed Australians to find a job and we are dedicated to ensuring this continues,” Minister Stone said.
July 26th, 2007
The Australian Government will contribute $2 million to the North Melbourne Football Club’s new club and recreation facilities, the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, announced today.
“The Australian Government’s contribution will hasten development of the Arden Street North Melbourne Recreation Reserve, resulting in improvements for the Kangaroos and their fans and the creation of a community sports hub,” Senator Brandis said.
Senator Brandis said the North Melbourne Football Club will give local users access to the new gymnasium, weight training facilities, as well as the new function and meeting rooms.
“The planned indoor basketball court may also suit the training needs of local football, netball and badminton teams and provide a venue for yoga and callisthenics classes,” Senator Brandis said.
“Linking these with the existing facilities at the North Melbourne Swimming Pool will maximise the range of sport and recreation activities available to the local community.”
The Australian Government will provide the funding in 2007–08 to allow completion of the building program ahead of the 2008–09 pre-season campaign.
The Australian Government’s contribution is subject to the AFL, City of Melbourne, Victorian Government and NMFC maintaining their respective commitments to the project.
July 9th, 2007