Pubs, gyms, restaurants, clubs, casinos and even churches will be forced to close from midday on March 23 under increased social distancing rules being implemented by the federal government. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the national closure of a range of indoor venues following a meeting with state and territory leaders on Sunday evening. Earlier… Read more »
SMEs will receive at least $20,000, and up to $100,000 in 2020, to keep employing staff Sole traders who lose more than 20% of income will be able to access their super The government will guarantee 50% of unsecured business loans up to $250,000 The bankruptcy laws will be softened, along with company director personal… Read more »
Australia has introduced tough new border controls in an effort to curb the transmission of COVID-19. All foreign nationals will be banned from entering the country from from 9pm (AEST) on Friday March 20. The ban applies to all non-citizens and non-residents. Australians returning from overseas – Qantas and Virgin Australia cease international flights at… Read more »
People arriving in Australia from overseas from midnight, March 15, must self-isolate for 14 days Prime Minister says if you go to work instead “you’re committing an offence” He promised to stop shaking hands, saying everyone should do the same The local cruise industry has been shut down for 30 days Schools will remain open… Read more »
It’s the news small business owners have been waiting for. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally announced a $17.6 billion stimulus package in response to the economic uncertainty around the coronavirus. Businesses will be eligible for up to $25,000 and instant tax relief while members of the community on Centrelink benefits will get one-off cash payments.… Read more »
FinTech Australia managing director Rebecca Schot-Guppy appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology last week. The committee is investigating the potential and opportunities in FinTech and RegTech for Australian business and consumers and initiatives to promote startups in the sectors. The committee is due to hand down its final report in… Read more »
Fibre-to-the-node (FTTN), the key broadband delivery method instigated by former communications minister Malcolm Turnbull in the Coalition government’s NBN policy, is failing to deliver for around a quarter of users, the latest review of broadband speeds by consumer watchdog the ACCC has found. The latest Measuring Broadband Australia report – the eight by the Australian… Read more »
Image: Jurassic World, Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment The Morrison government’s response to the ACCC’s concerns about the market power of Google and Facebook include $27m to the competition watchdog to boost monitoring and enforcement against the tech giants A voluntary code of practice, overseen by the ACCC, to address bargaining power imbalances between the tech companies… Read more »
The Morrison government and Big Four banks will commit $100 million each to the fund It will invest in around 30-50 high growth SMEs annually in return for a 10-40% equity stake The Business Growth Fund will have an independent management team selecting investments The government is talking to others to build the fund to… Read more »
The Australian Government is currently seeking feedback on its $18 million Female Founders Initiative, due to roll out in 2020. Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews said the program is designed to support female business founders and consultation on it is underway until September 30. “We want to give businesses led by women the best… Read more »
After enduring eight different ministers in nine years, the startup sector was relieved when the re-elected Morrison government reappointed Karen Andrews, who’d been in charge on the portfolio for less than a year, as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology. But all sides agree there’s a lot of work do be done and no time… Read more »
The Australian government is offering researchers and businesses up to take their products global under round four of its Global Connections Fund (GCF) Bridging Grants. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the grants are designed to strengthen international partnerships between small businesses and researchers. “Connecting small and medium enterprises with the research… Read more »
Nearly three decades after its establishment, the CRC Program continues to go from strength to strength. It is a testament to the power of collaboration … of bringing industry and research together to achieve a common goal. I’m proud of the excellent track record of our CRCs in delivering tangible outcomes and developing commercial solutions… Read more »
The reappointment of Queensland MP Karen Andrews as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology has been welcomed by a startup community relieved that they don’t have to start from scratch with a new minister once again. While most attention focused on the prime ministerial revolving door, the industry and innovation portfolios were led by eight… Read more »
With the federal election on our doorstep, and both major parties appealing to voter concerns around household budgets – childcare, utility bill handouts, and income tax cuts in particular – many startups and SMEs are feeling left out of the conversation. This has prompted a lot of thought in the startup community, and has put… Read more »
Atlassian cofounder Scott Farquhar steps down as co-CEO 
The lessons from Uber, Ola and rideshare’s disruption is that in the end, the consumer still pays 
Kiwi tech skills startup NextWork pockets $2.3 million pre-Seed raise 
Logistics software startup Veyor Digital shifts $2.75 million pre-Series A for US plans 
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