2 million self-employed
Their interests are our interest
It's your contract: Take control of it!
We say you should control your contract. Here's how. Check for clauses that are:
Red for Stop
Amber for Caution
Green for Go
You can also make use of our Contract Template to design your contract.

Matrixes and template are available here (ICA members only). Not a member? Join here for as little as $55.
You and Your Contract
Charter of Contractual Fairness.

Debate: Suck it up?

Contract problems?
Fixing business disputes
There's lots happening for new dispute resolution services for small business people. The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) model is being rolled out across Australia. Explanation of developments.
Watching: The new world of work
We track and discuss what's happening with work.
The new Cuban revolution.
Watching: The coordinated attack against self-employed in Australia
Do unions hate the self-employed?
Federal tax attack
Sham contracting small problem
Watching: New Technology
Opportunities and new threats for self-employed people
Left versus right: the great debate
Ken Phillips (ICA) and Peter Strong (COSBOA) debate "The Future (or Death) of Employment". Vids are here.
Our Campaigning
We need unfair contract protections
Defend contractor tax laws
Watching: Your Super
We're monitoring superannuation
Watching: Work Safety Laws
Harmonised laws have big problems.
Watching: Government Contracts
Military Aircraft (JSF)

National Broadband Network
Watching: Fair Work Act
We're watching

What the AIG wants
Handy ATO Links
Filing your tax return:
A member's problem
ATO advice

Handy ATO tax links:
ATO debt collection: overview
ATO debt collection: 'Products'
Guide to managing your debt
Not-for-profit tax guide
Lodge your BAS online
PAYG withholding tax tables
New tax form: Taxpayer Statement of Account
New tax form: Notice of Assessment
Mortgage scams
Small business support
Payment arrangement calculator
Want an ATO visit?
ATO Help for small business
ABN eligibility rules
Self managing your tax debt

Handy Super links:
ATO SMSF compliance
ATO free seminars.
SMSF Admin advice
New Super clearing house
Tax on SMSF loans
Watching Global Economies
Watching Global Economies
Watching the USA
Watching China
Central Banks on Debt
Watching Housing Bubbles
Ken Phillips on the debt equation
Biographical Profiles

Marie-Louise MacDonald (GM, Southern Cross Care WA) is the immediate past President of ICA.

Marie-Louise has had a diverse career, starting out in nursing in the early 1970s. She has held both State and Federal government positions in operational management, policy development and advisory roles.

In the private sector, she has worked at Executive management level for national and multi-national companies in Australia and overseas and has also held University posts within Business and Research schools. Since returning to Australia in 2001, she has worked in WA for private-for-profit companies at General Manager and Chief Executive Director level.

Her career has been enhanced through formal studies which include a Bachelor of Applied Science, Graduate Diploma in Public Policy Analysis, Masters of Business Administration and is currently working on her business Doctorate in the area of independent contracting. In 2008, her contributions were recognised through her inclusion in the WA Who's Who.


Michael Kelson (B. Comm., Dip. Ed., F.C.S.A., F.T.I.A, F.T.M.A, F.A.I.C.D, A.F.A.I.M, F.N.I.A, M.I.T.P.A, A.I.C.E.A) is a former President of ICA. He is a qualified accountant and registered Tax Agent with over 40 years' professional practical experience in accounting, taxation and business consulting to small businesses.

Michael commenced his working life as Headmaster of Taylor's School of Commerce. Thereafter he established his own practice in accounting and business consulting and subsequently added a financial planning practice.

During his professional years Michael contributed many articles for the Small Business Development Corporation of Victoria, presented the Small Business Course at Prahran TAFE for six years, developed and presented all the 'financial' courses for the Australian Institute of Management and from time to time owned a number of small businesses in addition to his practice.


Angela MacRae was President of ICA from July 2005 to April 2007. Angela is an independent contractor who is passionate about the needs and rights of independent contractors. Angela is an economist whose postgraduate studies revolved around tax and superannuation policy. In the lead-up to the tax reforms of 2000, Angela was the tax reform spokesperson and National Tax Director for CPA Australia. Subsequent to the implementation of GST and PAYG, Angela was contracted to the Prime Minister's Office to assist with resolving GST and BAS problems. Since starting a family, she now describes herself as a 'work from home consultant' juggling her duties caring for her toddler with tax writing, policy advising and supplying secretarial services.

Angela succeeded Bob Day as President of Independent Contractors of Australia in July 2005. In October 2005, Angela was appointed to the Prime Minister's and the Treasurer's Taskforce on Reducing the Regulatory Burden on Business.

In June 2006, Angela was the subject of an article in The Age newspaper about the benefits of independent contracting.

In April 2007, Angela was appointed as a Commissioner to the Australian Productivity Commission. (Click here for the announcement.) The appointment meant that Angela had to vacate her position on the ICA board. Angela has made an invaluable contribution to ICA and the cause of independent contractors---particularly in the area of tax. She will be greatly missed at ICA, however her great skill in analysing policy issues and providing clear advice will benefit Australia through her work with the Productivity Commission. We wish her well in her new position.


Bob Day AO
Bob was the foundation President of ICA. His contribution to the Australian community extends far beyond his business interests as one of Australia's leading home builders. His strong interest in youth unemployment, homelessness, urban planning, federalism and industrial relations is reflected in a wide range of appointments, including National President of the Housing Industry Association, Director of the Centre for Independent Studies and Member of the National Work for the Dole Advisory Committee, to name but a few.

On Australia Day 2003 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the housing industry, to social welfare---particularly housing the homeless---and to the community.

In promoting important policy issues, Bob has produced several publications: Contract Bridge which describes the importance of independent contractors; Home Truths which explains how bad government policy has artificially forced up the price of housing and how this can be fixed (see also www.greataustraliandream.net.au); and Nationbuild: which details how Australia can address our policy challenges (see also www.nationbuild.com).