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 The Fair Work Act begins today (1 July 2009). ICA is calling on the Rudd Government to change the Act to remove inappropriate references to independent contractors. The Act challenges key undertakings given to ICA by the (now) Deputy Prime Minister in the lead-up to the 2007 election. ICA's position is consistent with the ILO's position that independent contractors are regulated by commercial law and not industrial relations law. For ICA's full explanation, click here.
As a result of our lively discussion forum---"Are Recruitment Agencies Bad?"---we've kicked off a new forum on how they might be improved. Click here for the new discussion and to add to the debate. You can find the original discussion here.
Recently, ICA released details of some excellent ATO research into the small business sector. To assess our summary and comment click here.
The research document has now been released by the ATO and is available here. The ATO research is interesting, particularly when dovetailed with the ABS data (click here).
 The latest labour force survey released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (June 2008) shows two steady trends.
- The number of self-employed people in the community is steadily increasing. Over 19 per cent if the workforce are self-employed. That's 2.03 million (2008) up from 1.9 million (2004)
- It's also clear that as people mature they gravitate toward self-employment. 50 per cent of the self-employed are aged 35-54. 28 per cent are older than 55. This could predictably result in larger numbers of self-employed as the workforce ages.
For ICA's full commentary on the latest ABS figures, click here. For the ABS labour force report, click here.
If you're having trouble with tax debts, the ATO is prepared to assist. They are offering payment terms and interest free arrangements. It's worth checking and contacting the ATO if you are affected. Click here.
- With the additional 50 per cent tax deduction for small business, now is the time to make any equipment investments you may need. Click here for details on the investment allowance.
- Prepare for tax time by attending an ATO small business seminar. These are running across Australia during July. Click here.
- Rental property deductions, click here.
The ATO has issued a number of alerts on schemes being offered to people running their own SMSF. Be careful of 'investment' schemes that could cause you trouble.
 In a recent Business Spectator article, Ken Phillips discusses the idea that demographics determine economic cycles. Further, that the ageing of the post-war baby boomers means that the global downturn is long term. Click here for Ken's article supplemented with some basic Australian graphs and stats.
 ICA is pleased to make available a free online business assistance service. Seven-days-a-week, Martin Dowling can answer your queries on managing your own business. Martin was awarded the 2008 NAB Small Business Mentor Award. He is self-employed and runs his own business assisting small business. Click here to send your queries/issues to Martin or to read the advice line. You can meet Martin on YouTube here.
 Improvements to work safety in Australia have been hampered for well over a decade because the States have had widely different legislative approaches. There have been many reviews and ICA has consistently made submissions about the principles that should drive OHS legislation---particularly as they affect independent contractors. We have argued that (like tax) it is destructive of good policy outcomes to design legislation based around the artificial definitions of employer and employee. See ICA submissions:
National Review 2008
NSW Discussion paper 2005
Victorian Review 2003
Corporate Manslaughter Legislation, 2002
The Federal Government has committed to harmonization of Australia's OHS laws. But the question has been: what should the laws look like? There are two broad options: following the NSW-style model or the Victorian-style model. ICA has persistently argued against the NSW model and in favour of the Victorian model. Last year, the Federal Government commissioned a review which made recommendations. Late on Monday, 18 May, the national Workplace Relations Minister agreed to the principles of national harmonized OHS laws. The key outcomes are:
- The laws reflect the Victorian model.
- The definitions of employer and employee are NOT the basis of the laws.
These are very positive outcomes, consistent with the long-argued positions of ICA. We believe safer work will be the outcome.
For ICA's briefing on the new laws click here.
The two key documents released late on Monday are:
(1) Ministers' joint communique
(2) Details of the principles of the new legislation.
For Business Spectator commentary article by Ken Phillips, click here.
For Ken's 'Counterpoint' interview with Michael Duffy, click here.
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Click here to become a member of Independent Contractors of Australia. Membership is open to all independent contractors. Two forms of membership are available to individual contractors: affiliate contractor or full contractor membership. Membership fees are $55 for one year (or $110 for three years) for affiliate members and $110 for one year (or $220 for three years) for full contractor members. Further information about the categories of membership and their benefits is available at the link above.
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