Dick Davies Writes...
"...the human fabric of the workplace precedes in importance that of technology!"
Dick Davies prods us to think about management, independence and motivation. Click here.
Sham Contract Issues
ICA supports the prevention of sham contracts. We monitor what's happening with them:
Successful FWO prosecution (Dec 2009)
Info from Fair Work Ombudsman (July 2009)
First sham contract prosecution: ICA summary
Business Spectator article
Read the debate
Work Safety Issues
There is a series of major developments occurring in the realm of work safety.
National Harmonization
See here for a summary and understanding of the proposed harmonized laws.
See here for ICA's submission to the draft National OHS laws.
Good/Bad Contracts
We're monitoring contracts in general and promoting good contracts in particular. For example:
One of the worst contracts we've seen
But a positive development from government
Ken Phillips comments
And some interesting discussions
What's Happening with Super?
ICA is monitoring super developments, particularly as they affect SMSFs.
Easier Super Admin
Peter Strong submission
Govt super clearing house (through Medicare)
Is Super Safe?
Business Spectator explains attacks on SMSFs
Big super in trouble (USA) Mark I
Big super in trouble (USA) Mark II
USA super funds corruption
Australian Super Review
Profile of Australian super funds
Government review: overview
Government review: 24-page report
History Repeats
Here's an interesting quotation from the history books! Images of the USA today?
'The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be filled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome be bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance'
Cicero---55 BC
ICA Small Business Videos
During 2009, ICA made a series of videos on small business issues. The collection appears below.
Introduction
7m 45s
Click here for video
'Business in Crisis'
5m 24s
Click here for video
Managing relationships when you are in business for yourself
6m 00s
Click here for video
The early years
4m 54s
Click here for video
Basic Business Errors
10m 01s
Click here for video
Managing Debt
7m 04s
Click here for video
Rocket Science
3m 04s
Click here for video
Surviving the Hard Times
5m 17s
Click here for video
Research and Marketing
5m 35s
Click here for video
Crash Without Cash
8m 54s
Click here for video
Building Relationships
ICA Summit 2009
At our very successful Summit on 12 November, we brought together a unique group of presenters from small and big business, government, academia and the research arena. Conference Presentations are here.
... Unquote
Illegal workers/Phoenix companies
Two ICA members' tell their stories
ATO information on reporting suspect activity.
The Pessimists' Economic Views
(Posted January 2010)
We've brought together some pessimistic views about economics and likely economic trends in 2010:
Ken Phillips's summary
The Atlantic
Pivot Capital
New York Times
Business Spectator
Wall Street Journal
Investors Insight
Reuters
The Telegraph
New York TImes




























Self-Managed Superannuation Funds

Newspaper reports earlier this year indicated that the Federal Government is planning to restrict the ability of independent contractors to own and control their own self-managed super funds (SMSFs). SMSFs also seem to be the target of the big industry and retail super funds.

ICA believes that Independent Contractors have a right to control their own retirement funds if they wish and to decide how those funds are invested. This is particularly important given the global financial crisis.

ICA is therefore conducting a campaign to defend the right of independent contractors to own and manage their own super funds. While acknowledging that there are some useful government initiatives (notably education about the legal obligations faced by SMSF owners), ICA will vigorously oppose any attempt, by government or others, to limit Independent Contractors' access to, and control over, one of the key elements of their financial independence.

ICA Campaign:
For more about the Campaign and its background, click here [Public section]

General Links:
If you run, or are thinking of starting, your own SMSF, click here for some useful links that provide good, basic information. [Members only]

ATO Links:
For a series of useful rules for running your SMSF (sourced from the ATO), click here. [Members only] Updated with 4 new links 14 March 2009.