Business Connect is being axed by the NSW Government and several digital service suppliers are up in arms
The NSW Government plans to axe Business Connect on 30 September 2025, and if it goes ahead, will be the end of the $10 million program that according to UR Digital, delivers up to a 3:1 return on investment for the small business sector, which contributes $535 billion a year to the NSW economy. “The […]
Milk production in Australia set for continued decline while global supply surges according to Rabobank
In newly-released research, Rabobank says local milk production is set to fall again in the current season, as ongoing feed shortages and a smaller milking herd in drought-affected areas continue to impact. This comes as global milk supply surges, with production increasing across other key dairy-exporting regions across the world. In its Quarter 3 Global Dairy […]
CPA Australia calls for clearer product naming and marketing rules and suggests you check if your current investments are safe
Following the ASIC investigation into the management and operation of the First Guardian Master Fund, a managed investment scheme where it is understood around 6,000 investors have been exposed to heavy losses collectively worth more than $1 billion. Our largest accounting body, CPA Australia, is calling for stricter rules to govern the naming and marketing […]
Farmer and rural business input is being called for into ways of creating growth in rural and regional Australia
The House of Representatives Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has commenced a new inquiry into creating sustainable economic growth in rural and regional Australia. The Committee seeks to identify opportunities to promote and support sustainable markets for rural and regional small and medium businesses in all sectors, through enhanced branding, and certification of Australian […]
ICA warns the home guarantee scheme expansion will increase property prices by up to 10% in the first year
According to new analysis released by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today, The Federal Government’s plan to dramatically expand the Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) will increase house prices, make it harder for lower income earners to enter the housing market, and have a negligible impact on home ownership rates, Analysis of the Government’s policy by independent economic consultancy Lateral Economics has estimated that the […]
Scammer fight back skills explained during Scams Awareness Week
An initiative led by Google in partnership with COTA Australia, and with support from experts at the Australian Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), is arming Australians with new tips and tools to protect themselves from scams and improve their digital literacy. Close to 1000 people have already participated in a one day session to learn […]
Rabobank reduces variable base rate for rural loans by 0.25 per cent
Rabobank Australia will lower the variable base rate on its rural loans by 0.25% per annum, effective 22 August 2025. This follows the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to cut the official cash rate (OCR) by 0.25%, announced yesterday. Rabobank group executive for Country Banking Australia Marcel van Doremaele said the bank was pleased to […]
Not even Genghis Khan could withhold a rate reduction as reserve bank drops base rate to 3.6%
Following the disappointment of 97% of financial commentators at the previous RBA meeting in July when they assured a rate cut was imminent, The Reserve Bank has relented at its August board meeting today and delivered the third interest rate cut of 2025, with a 0.25 percentage point reduction in the base rate. The base […]
Financial hardship support from telcos missing the mark for rural customers
A report released today by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) finds telcos are failing to consistently support customers in financial hardship and, in some cases, are unintentionally causing or making financial stress worse. Read the embargoed report here The report, ‘Keeping connected: Experiences of telco consumers in financial hardship,’ is informed by a review of […]
Quad bike deaths are dropping but experts say more action is required
The most recent report into Quad bike accidents shows there has been a small reduction in quad bike deaths at work in Australia since new safety standards were introduced five years ago, but public health experts say more needs to be done to keep farmers safe. To clarify, the report was on Quads, four-wheelers with […]