The Federal Government has moved on its election commitment to extend unfair contract term protections from consumers to small businesses, releasing a discussion paper with state and territory consumer affairs ministers today. While the Australian Consumer Law currently protects individual consumers from unfair terms in standard form contracts, it does not currently provide such safeguards…
Local Federal Member for Dunkley said the Abbott Government’s first Budget is laying the foundations for a strong and prosperous economy with less debt. At the election, the Coalition made the solemn promise to get the Budget back under control, as well as scrap the Carbon Tax, end the waste, stop the boats and build…
A new unit will be set up to provide specialist advice on contracts and to ensure small businesses are not disadvantaged as part of Commonwealth Departments tendering and procurement processes. The Abbott Government has allocated $2.8 million over four years to deliver on this important commitment which will help small businesses access Commonwealth contracts. Small…
The Federal Government has allocated $8 million to establish the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, delivering on its election commitment to establish a one-stop-shop for small business into the Commonwealth. The Abbott Government committed to establish this single entry-point for small businesses to provide an easy way to find out about services and programmes….
Small businesses will get the same protections as consumers when it comes to unfair contracts imposed by big business. The Abbott Government will provide $1.4 million to extend unfair contract relief from consumers to small business. Currently, consumers are protected from unfair terms in standard form contracts. Small businesses have told us they have also…
On the eve of International Women’s Day, the Federal Government is recognising women who have played a significant role in building Australia’s economy and encourage more to enter the small business sector. “Australia is fortunate to have around 617,000 women running their own small businesses,” the Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson said. “Despite what…
Local Federal Dunkley MP and Minister for Small Business is hoping another Frankston or Mornington Peninsula business can stand tall alongside Brad Smith’s Braap Motorcycles as a winner of the Victorian Telstra Business Awards. There are around two million small businesses across the country and the Australian Government understands small business and the vital contribution…
The utilities, groceries and the automotive fuel markets will be some of the sectors of the economy which will come under scrutiny when the Federal Government’s ‘root and branch’ review of competition law kicks off early next year. The draft terms of reference released today have been framed to shine a light on the practices and…
The Federal Government has welcomed the announcement from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that it has concluded its investigation into whether large fuel saving offers (“shopper dockets”) issued by Coles and Woolworths were reducing competition in retail fuel markets. We know shopper docket fuel discounts are very popular with consumers, especially around this…
Local Federal MP, Bruce Billson, yesterday helped launch the expansion of a state of the art polyurethane manufacturing and technical centre at Carrum Downs. Mr Billson was delighted Pacific Urethanes had made the decision to expand locally. Small businesses are the real job creators in our local economy and so therefore it’s pleasing to be…