More support for Victorian businesses
THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed changes to the JobKeeper eligibility criteria that will support more Victorian small businesses impacted by tighter restrictions.
Under the new eligibility test, small businesses are only required to demonstrate a significant reduction in turnover in the September quarter, compared to the same quarter last year.
“The adjustments to the eligibility criteria will be a necessary lifeline, particularly to those small businesses in Victoria that were able to re-open when restrictions eased after the first wave, but are now impacted by tighter restrictions in response to the second wave,” Ms Carnell says.
“The changes also allow struggling small businesses to get JobKeeper payments for new staff who have been employed since 1 July.”
While the changes to JobKeeper apply nation-wide, Victorian small businesses are expected to take up 80% of the additional $15 billion allocated to the program.
“There’s no doubt the latest round of restrictions has been devastating for Victorian small businesses and the broader economy,” Ms Carnell says.
“The federal government’s commitment ‘to keep Australians in jobs and businesses in business’ will give small businesses a much-needed confidence boost at this very difficult time.
“Small businesses will be reassured by the government’s pledge to continue to back them so they can get to the other side of this crisis.
“In light of the restrictions imposed on small businesses in Melbourne and surrounds, the government should delay its plans to taper JobKeeper payments from the end of next month.
“The reality is that these small businesses won’t be back on their feet by 28 September, when payments will be reduced and commercial rent deferrals are scheduled to expire.”
Under the new eligibility test, small businesses are only required to demonstrate a significant reduction in turnover in the September quarter, compared to the same quarter last year.
“The adjustments to the eligibility criteria will be a necessary lifeline, particularly to those small businesses in Victoria that were able to re-open when restrictions eased after the first wave, but are now impacted by tighter restrictions in response to the second wave,” Ms Carnell says.
“The changes also allow struggling small businesses to get JobKeeper payments for new staff who have been employed since 1 July.”
While the changes to JobKeeper apply nation-wide, Victorian small businesses are expected to take up 80% of the additional $15 billion allocated to the program.
“There’s no doubt the latest round of restrictions has been devastating for Victorian small businesses and the broader economy,” Ms Carnell says.
“The federal government’s commitment ‘to keep Australians in jobs and businesses in business’ will give small businesses a much-needed confidence boost at this very difficult time.
“Small businesses will be reassured by the government’s pledge to continue to back them so they can get to the other side of this crisis.
“In light of the restrictions imposed on small businesses in Melbourne and surrounds, the government should delay its plans to taper JobKeeper payments from the end of next month.
“The reality is that these small businesses won’t be back on their feet by 28 September, when payments will be reduced and commercial rent deferrals are scheduled to expire.”
A Dog's Life
Alan Davidson
Alan Davidson
I SEE that Moonee Valley City Council are looking for our thoughts about having another closed off, off-lead dog park similar to that at Alf Pearce Reserve in Strathmore.
It’s more complicated than you might imagine getting something like this right as some people will love it, others won’t.
We used to live not far away from the proposed areas suggested for the park, Cliff Whitworth Reserve or Ian J. McWilliams Park, in Essendon West. It’s a nice spot.
However, we lived for a lot longer and closer to Alf Pearce Reserve in Strathmore as it was at the end our street, York street. It was where we played with our kids and it was an especially good open space to take our dogs. And it was quiet. Despite being beside the Tulla and over the freeway from DFO.
We never needed to have our dogs on a lead, they were well-trained, and enjoyed chasing their ball, and us. Our kids enjoyed playing basketball there as well. It was, also, a great spot.
Then we got notices, similar to now, about a proposal to put in a fenced dog park and I started to grumble. More people, more dogs, more cars. I wasn’t excited.
It’s more complicated than you might imagine getting something like this right as some people will love it, others won’t.
We used to live not far away from the proposed areas suggested for the park, Cliff Whitworth Reserve or Ian J. McWilliams Park, in Essendon West. It’s a nice spot.
However, we lived for a lot longer and closer to Alf Pearce Reserve in Strathmore as it was at the end our street, York street. It was where we played with our kids and it was an especially good open space to take our dogs. And it was quiet. Despite being beside the Tulla and over the freeway from DFO.
We never needed to have our dogs on a lead, they were well-trained, and enjoyed chasing their ball, and us. Our kids enjoyed playing basketball there as well. It was, also, a great spot.
Then we got notices, similar to now, about a proposal to put in a fenced dog park and I started to grumble. More people, more dogs, more cars. I wasn’t excited.
It took some time to get approval and get finished. It did make changes to the activity and ‘feel’ of the park. But whenever I got negative about it I was reminded at how often I used say why doesn’t the park get used more often. It had no sport, but did have a basketball court and BBQ hub. But it was still quiet. Maybe the off-lead park was what was needed for it to be used to its full potential!
What the Strathmore dog park brought to the area was a happy and safe playground for our much-loved pets. A place where they could play with other dogs and, with some help from their owners, use it as a learning ground for good manners. For both dogs and their owners!
Elderly or disabled people, or parents with young children who might not be in a position to walk their dogs, safely, found a safe haven for their doggy companion. It was ground-breaking, for our area, and broadened the social aspects enormously.
Sure, some people didn’t, or don’t, stop moaning about it but then change to an established lifestyle does this.
What the Strathmore dog park brought to the area was a happy and safe playground for our much-loved pets. A place where they could play with other dogs and, with some help from their owners, use it as a learning ground for good manners. For both dogs and their owners!
Elderly or disabled people, or parents with young children who might not be in a position to walk their dogs, safely, found a safe haven for their doggy companion. It was ground-breaking, for our area, and broadened the social aspects enormously.
Sure, some people didn’t, or don’t, stop moaning about it but then change to an established lifestyle does this.
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I’m guessing that a long-established and now up-market area close to St Bernards would have it’s transition problems but, to try and determine if it can work, Council are requesting you look at completing a ratepayer survey.
This link outlines all the plans and gives you a chance to contribute … Anyone who has a dog, the area of Essendon, Moonee Ponds and Keilor East has the largest registration in Moonee Valley, should be very happy to consider this off-lead, fenced safe haven. Or, least comment upon it. |
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Update your meds list
Photo: Dids
IF you take one or more regular medicines, now is the time to make sure you have an up-to-date list of all the medicines you take - prescription and over-the-counter.
This is the advice from NPS MedicineWise ahead of an anticipated increase in the number of people seeking health care during the recent spread of COVID-19 in Victoria and New South Wales.
Pharmacist and Medicines Line manager at NPS MedicineWise, Nerida Packham said, “If you take one or more regular medicines, make sure you have an up-to-date medicines list in case you need to go into hospital unexpectedly or visit a doctor or pharmacist who is not familiar with your health status.
“Updating your medicines list is easier when you are feeling well, so now is the time to make sure yours is up to date.
“If you care for someone, help them prepare a list of their medicines too, and make sure family members know where and how to access a copy of each other’s medicines lists,” she says.
Record the active ingredient of your medicine, what the medicine is for, and how and when to take it.
“Most importantly, have the medicines list with you when you go into hospital, or visit or talk to your doctor,” says Ms Packham.
This is the advice from NPS MedicineWise ahead of an anticipated increase in the number of people seeking health care during the recent spread of COVID-19 in Victoria and New South Wales.
Pharmacist and Medicines Line manager at NPS MedicineWise, Nerida Packham said, “If you take one or more regular medicines, make sure you have an up-to-date medicines list in case you need to go into hospital unexpectedly or visit a doctor or pharmacist who is not familiar with your health status.
“Updating your medicines list is easier when you are feeling well, so now is the time to make sure yours is up to date.
“If you care for someone, help them prepare a list of their medicines too, and make sure family members know where and how to access a copy of each other’s medicines lists,” she says.
Record the active ingredient of your medicine, what the medicine is for, and how and when to take it.
“Most importantly, have the medicines list with you when you go into hospital, or visit or talk to your doctor,” says Ms Packham.
