COSBOA forms specialist taskforces; Becker appointed to Competition Policy taskforce
The Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) has announced the formation of eight taskforces to assist small business policy development and communication. The taskforces are: B2B Contracts; Competition Policy;...
‘Shop Small’ campaign launches in Australia
A national month-long campaign to encourage Australians to support small businesses has been launched. Shop Small has previously been run in the US, UK and Canada. While the US event...
New Arts, Industry and Small Business ministers announced
The recently elected Federal Coalition Government has unveiled its first ministry, including new ministers for the Arts, Industry and Small Business portfolios. George Brandis has been appointed Minister for the Arts, as...
Vic govt to hold ‘Support Small Business Day’ in October
Victorian booksellers will have an opportunity to be part of the state’s first Support Small Business Day on 19 October. Announced this week by Victorian Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise...
New Arts, Small Business ministers appointed
Tony Burke has been appointed as the new Federal Minister for the Arts and Gary Gray has been appointed as the new Federal Minister for Small Business. Prime Minister Julia...
Greens propose amendments to Fair Work Act for casual workers
Australian Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt has introduced a private member’s bill calling for an amendment to the Fair Work Act to protect casual workers, reports Inside Retailing. However, small...
NSW state budget announced
The New South Wales state budget has been announced and includes funding to establish ‘experts and resources in the Office of the Small Business Commissioner that will work with small...
Budget delivers small business tax relief, funds for small business commissioner; Indigenous literacy and numeracy funding redirected
Small businesses that are currently making losses will be able to claim losses against previously taxed income from next year as a result of the Federal Government’s tax loss carry-back...
SA small business commissioner appointed
The South Australian Government has appointed Mike Sinkunas as the state’s small business commissioner. Sinkunas, who has previously worked in education, computing and the SA public service, was appointed to...
Government flags tax relief for small businesses
The Federal Government is expected to introduce tax relief measures in this year’s budget which will allow businesses to claim losses back against previously taxed income, reports the Sydney Morning...
In Brief
Spinifex authors nominated for Publishing Triangle awardsTwo Spinifex Press authors have been nominated for awards presented by the Publishing Triangle, the association of lesbians and gay men in publishing. Spinifex...
O?Connor appointed Small Business Minister; Small Business portfolio moves into Cabinet
Brendan O'Connor has been appointed as the new Federal Minister for Small Business. Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the appointment on Friday 2 March as part of a wider ministry...
Arbib resigns as Small Business Minister
Federal Small Business Minister Mark Arbib has resigned from the ministry and from the Senate. Arbib, who was also Assistant Treasurer and Sports Minister, said in a press conference on...
Bookseller appointed to national retail council; ABA delegation meets with Government, Opposition in Canberra
Peter Strong, owner of Smiths Alternative Bookshop in Canberra and executive director of the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), has been appointed as one of the foundation members of...
In Brief
Dymocks Children's Charities launches seventh Book BankDymocks Children's Charities launched its seventh Book Bank at La Perouse Public School in South-Eastern Sydney this week. Each of the 47 students at...
In Brief
Robb named 2012 CAL Nonfiction Writer-in-Residence at UTSAustralian writer Peter Robb has been named as the inaugural Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) Nonfiction Writer-in-Residence at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS)....
Carr changes ministerial role; Sherry leaves Cabinet
Senator Kim Carr is no longer Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research following a cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard this week. Carr is now the Minister...
In Brief
NZ country of honour website launchedA website for New Zealand's Frankfurt country of honour project has been launched. The NZ At Frankfurt site includes information about the Frankfurt Book Fair,...
In Brief
2011 Get Reading! campaign launchedThis year's Get Reading! campaign, which will run until 30 September, was officially launched this week. A new website for the campaign has been launched and features an...
Minister Sherry, booksellers hold ‘constructive’ talks
Federal Minister for Small Business has described his meeting with members of the Australian bookselling community last week as 'constructive' and 'a good opportunity to clear the air'. As previously...