Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a $4 billion economic stimulus package as the state prepares to close its borders to non-residents from midnight Wednesday. Queensland reported a further 78 cases of COVID-19 today, the majority in the state’s south-east corner. Included in the Premier’s stimulus package is $1.2 billion to ramp up the state’s… Read more »
Editor’s note: This article is based on the coronavirus and COVID-19 situation as of March 23. It’s important to remember that the situation is rapidly developing and official advice may change. If the flurry of new orders released in the last 24 hours has you feeling confused about what’s OK and what’s not when it… Read more »
The shutdowns of non-essential services across parts of Australia may trigger conditions in the Fair Work Act that will allow employers to stand staff down without pay, according to Employsure, Australia’s leading workplace relations company. According to Ed Mallett, managing director of leading employer advice service Employsure, in a Government imposed closure of a workplace,… Read more »
Matthew Evans runs his family small business, Fat Pig Farm, near the Huon River in Southern Tasmania with his partner, Sadie Chrestman. The farm has a market garden, pigs and dairy cows. They’ve been building the business for nine years, and in 2016 launched a cookery school, produce store and restaurant serving their home-grown produce.… Read more »
Victorian schools will start holidays on Mar 24, until Apr 14 NSW is advising parents to keep children at home, but is keeping schools open for essential workers Venues such as clubs, pubs, cinemas, gyms and places of worship will close from noon today Restaurants and cafes can serve takeaway only Western Australia, South Australia… Read more »
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 »
NSW and Victoria will shut non-essential businesses in the next 48 hrs Supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies and home delivery are among services that will stay open Victorian schools will start holidays from March 24. NSW schools have begun to cancel classes on Monday Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory will close their borders… 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 »
The Australian Banking Association announced a range of measures by the nation’s leading financial institutions on Friday as part of the response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19. The measures follow an $80 billion pledge by the RBA to buy government bonds to support the banks in lending to small and medium… Read more »
Prime minister Scott Morrison has assured Australians while we can’t stop the virus, “we can defeat it by slowing it down”. Consequently, the PM emphasised the role social distancing has to play in the response to the spread of COVID-19. Before announcing the government has upped the ante on the amount of distance we must… Read more »
Banks will offer small businesses a six-month deferral on their business loan repayments as part of the finance sectors response to Covid-19. Australian Banking Association CEO Anna Bligh said the move will “deliver up to $8 billion back into the pockets of small businesses” across more than $100 billion worth of business loans Bligh said all… Read more »
Small businesses in Canberra will get a $750 rebate on their power bill, payroll tax waivers and deferments and a $622 credit on their commercial rates bill under a $137 million stimulus package announced by the ACT government. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it was just the initial response by the territory government to a… Read more »
Many startups already have their teams working from home. While many already operate under flexible working conditions, for others it’s a new experience. So we asked five leaders in the startup sector for their tips on how to get the best out of teams when you’re not together. Here’s what they said. Simon Lee, co-CEO… Read more »
Buy-now-pay-later fintech Afterpay has moved to reassure shareholders after the company’s share price went over the cliff amid concerns about its future as coronavirus provokes an economic crisis. Yesterday the Reserve Bank cut interest rates to the RBA’s stated floor of 0.25%, as well as launching a $90 billion bond-buying program to keep interest… 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 »
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