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At ICA, we're a little exhausted because we’ve spent 10 months heavily involved in organising this event. The National Small Business Conference (10-12 August, Melbourne)  is just 2 weeks away. We believe it’s important that at least once a year politicians, bureaucrats, academics and small business people get together to discuss small business issues.

This year’s conference has a stunning line-up of presenters. We highly recommend you look at your timetable and budget to see if you can attend at least part of the conference. There’s great value, we think. More...

Just last week the debate over workplace issues revved up again with the release by the Abbott government of its Productivity Commission inquiry into workplace relations. Naturally, the unions and the ALP are salivating at the idea that this will be a re-run of WorkChoices, almost guaranteeing them a win at the next election. ICA will be putting a submission to the Inquiry. More...

Here’s some common sense from Senator Bob Day’s inspiring first speech in Parliament.  Bob describes practical ways in which young people can get jobs and buy their first home. More...

We recently received an email from a construction contractor in Brisbane describing how his use of independent contractors has come under attack from tax officials. He’s been forced to use employees, resulting in a significant drop in productivity. Here’s his email and our comment.  More...

Thank goodness Holden is finally leaving Australia. The pain is over and no longer will ordinary Australian taxpayers and small business people have to pay to keep Holden going. Full blogpost here. More...

It was only the middle of last year that Ford announced it was closing. Now Holden is making the same threat, not directly but through what it seems is its chief lobbyist, the South Australian Labor government. This time, Holden is saying it wants another $275 million from government or it closes. Read more. More...

One of the biggest challenges facing large firms these days is how to manage a ‘blended’ workforce. Few companies are able to operate with employees alone. The use of independent contractors ‘blended’ with employees is a new ‘normal’.  More...

ICA blogger (and China expert) John Findley takes issue with recent suggestions that SMEs are not well engaged with computer technology. Instead of concentrating on the Internet and on-line advertising, he argues that the future for SMEs and technology lies with productivity gains not yet realised. Full post is here. More...

An ICA member reflects that disability care requires flexible workforce arrangements, and people prepared to do the work! The ICA member says:

I am interested in the progress of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and admit self-interest.  I now have my 93-year-old, infirm mother living in my home and requiring a high level of care. More...

Penalty rate hikes in awards, particularly weekend and public holiday rates, are causing Australia to undergo a backward revolution. It's a step into the past by stealth. Restrictive trading hours are being imposed through the mechanism of business-breaking cost hikes. Full article here. More...