B2B in Canberra June 2011 (issue 61)

CANBERRA’S BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT MAGAZINE

FACEBOOK AND FAMILY LAW

HELPING CANBERRA BUSINESSES

Farrar Gesini & Dunn’s Ann Northcote shares her experiences

Andrew Nesbitt from Beames & Associates has this goal in mind

b2bincanberra.com.au

JUNE 2011

61

100+ years of legal services in the Canberra region.

MOVING YESTERDAY INTO TODAY

BRAIN EXERCISE THE NEW CAFFEINE

EFFECTIVE DISASTER RECOVERY

Moving into the modern world with the NLA

Yellow Edge’s Andy Gregory explains the theory

Boaz Fischer from CommsNet Group has a plan

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CONTENTS

PUBLISHER’S NOTE A week is a long time in politics ...

So is 10 years. In the past month we have seen Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister for 10 years, step down and call it quits from the ACT Legislative Assembly. I would like to join with others in the Canberra community and thank Jon for his public service during this time. Politicians get a bad rap in this country and are under constant scrutiny (and so they should be in a democracy). I don’t think most people are aware of how hard most of our representatives work and the toll it takes on them and their families. Yes, no-one forces then to do it - but rather them than me. Congratulations to new Chief Minister Katy Gallagher. Succession in politics is the preferred method at all times ... and this seems to have been a very smooth and well timed transition. On a sad note I would like to add my condolences on the passing of Jim Murphy - a statesman in the Canberra community who will be remembered and missed.

TIM BENSON Publisher Cover Photography: Andrew Sikorski Photography: Andrew Sikorski

PUBLISHER I EDITOR

Tim Benson editorial@b2bincanberra.com.au 02 6161 2751

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Tim Benson 0402 900 402 advertising@b2bincanberra.com.au

PUBLISHED BY Man Bites Dog Public Relations ABN 30 932 483 322 PO Box 4106 Ainslie ACT 2602 t 02 6161 2751 f 02 6262 7721 b2b@b2bincanberra.com.au b2bincanberra.com.au

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13 COVER STORY

UPFRONT 06 What your copier can do for you in 2011

ELRINGTONS

OPINION 08 Facebook and family law: a recipe for disaster

100+ years of legal services in the Canberra region

CIT leads the charge with a course in Carbon Accounting

Giving consideration to the risks and benefits of new technology can be vital

PROFILE 09 Andrew Nesbitt, chartered accountant and senior manager at Beames & Associates

FEATURE 12 6 Goals for Increased Business Performance Goal 2 – Improve your gross goal percentage

COVER STORY 13 Elringtons 100+ years of legal services in the Canberra Region

LEGAL NOTICE Man Bites Dog Public Relations (‘MBD’) owns the copyright in this publication. Except for any fair dealing as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwth), no part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of MBD. MBD has been careful in preparing this publication, however: it is not able to, and does not warrant that the publication is free from errors and omissions; and it is not able to verify, and has not verified the accuracy of the information and opinions contained or expressed in, or which may be conveyed to readers by any advertisement or other publication content. MBD advises that it accepts all contributed material and advertisements contained in this publication in good faith, and relies on various warranties and permissions provided to it by the persons who contribute material and/or place advertisements. Those warranties and permissions include that neither the material and/or advertisements are misleading, deceptive or defamatory, and that their use, adaptation or publication does not infringe the rights of any third party, or any relevant laws. Further, MBD notifies readers that it does not, nor should it be understood to endorse, adopt, approve or otherwise associate MBD with any representations made in contributions and/or advertisements contained in the publication. MBD makes no representation or warranty as to the qualifications of any contributor or advertiser or persons associated with them, and advises readers that they must rely solely on their own enquiries in relation to such qualifications, and be satisfied from those enquiries that persons with whom they deal as a result of reading any material or advertisement have the necessary licences and professional qualifications relating to the goods and services offered. To the maximum extent permitted by law, MBD excludes all liabilities in contract, tort (including negligence) and/or statute for loss, damage, costs and expenses of any kind to any person arising directly or indirectly from any material or advertisement contained in this publication, whether arising from an error, omission, misrepresentation or any other cause.

CONTENTS

19 ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

28 PERFORMANCE ARCHITECTS

Brain exercise - the new caffeine?

20 ACCOUNTING

By Yellow Edge Performance Architects

Directors may become personally liable for unpaid superannuation from 1 July 2011

07

By RSM Bird Cameron

REAL ESTATE

ACCOUNTING SERVICES

By Maria Selleck Properties

Price your home to Sell(eck)

Redeeming your business interest due to an involuntary event

By Hillross Wealth Management Centre Canberra

30 RISK INSURANCE

How much life insurance is enough?

By Capital Wealth

21 BUSINESS LAW

Positive cash flow and director’s liabilities: how can one affect the other?

WEBSITES

Apple vs Mango- take your pickle

By Elringtons Lawyer

By Synapse Worldwide

BUSINESS COACHING

09

30 G2B: GOVERNMENT TO BUSINESS New funding for local early stage ventures

To know your customer is to serve your customer... and your business

By ACT Government Economic Development

By 10X

A2B: ASSOCIATIONS TO BUSINESS 33 CANBERRA BUSINESS COUNCIL: A balanced and responsible budget

22 COMMERCIAL LAW

Testamentary guardian

By Trinity Law

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

China and India- more than mining opportunities

By Australian Institute of Company Directors

16

34 ACT EXPORTERS NETWORK: The results are in: everything you wanted to know about Canberra’s international business activity ACT & REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY: In 1697 Harold Wilson said “A week is a long time in politics”

24 ESTATE PLANNING

Financial agreements and estate planning

By Certus Law

26 INFORMATION SECURITY

Developing disaster recovery plan effectively

By CommsNet Group

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

37 B2B @ CBC Federal Budget Breakfast

Trademark examiner adverse reports not necessarily fatal to your application

37

BUSINESS NETWORKING 36 B2B @ CBC ACT Budget Breakfast 38 B2B @ RSM Cameron Bird Business Seminar 6 38 B2B @ Bradley Allen Construction

By Aruna Trade Mark Attorneys

Conference Planning Tip # 28 Mix it up: Rather than keeping delegates in the same room all day, try and break up your event by using different rooms or venues for speeches, dinners and workshops during the conference.

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UPFRONT

What your copier can do for you in 2011 We call them ‘copiers’, but the devices that sit in every corporate and home office are now capable of much more than printing, copying, scanning and faxing. Many business owners are unaware of how their copier can improve their office processes. In addition to this, the wide range of capabilities on offer means the decisions on how and what to use a copier for can be overwhelming.

So how can business owners decide what copier to purchase? Scott Jackson, National Manager, Office Solutions Business at Fuji Xerox Australia, suggests: 1. Review costs of printing and imaging Consider how copiers might reduce printing costs and make your processes more efficient. Businesses can opt for the latest energy-efficient copiers, or create usage limits for staff, such as for colour printing. Additionally, today’s copiers mean you have one device that does everything, rather than multiple devices each consuming energy, and occupying office floor-space.

The Canberra Institute of Technology found that switching to efficient Fuji Xerox copiers reduced their printing costs by 47 per cent in the first year. They were better able to track how much each department printed and better allocate resources.

2. Save staff time – does it automate manual processes?

Beyond printing and copying, how do you want your copier to manage documents, reduce paper, or simplify workflow?

Evaluate document workflow software is available directly from the vendor. These solutions can automate manual processes, such as tracking where a document is (seeing if a recipient received a fax, or alerting the sender if not) or scanning a file to your document management system directly from the copier. By automating you allow staff to focus on their core job functions, and spend less time on tasks like scanning and tracking documents.

For more information on copiers and their capabilities, talk to a consultant and explain your business objectives, such as

more efficient archiving or a reduction in waste. This will allow them to recommend the right solutions for you and possibly tailor solutions to your specific needs.

3. Review your environmental goals For companies prioritising ‘greener’ practices and corporate responsibility, switching to environmentally responsible copiers could help meet these goals.

Companies can save paper, reduce electricity consumption, or automate storage to ease the burden on data servers.Property company Stockland, for example, consolidated their device fleet and achieved a 50 per cent reduction in energy use.

Scott Jackson is the National Manager, Office Solutions Business at Fuji Xerox Australia.

CIT leads the charge with a course in Carbon Accounting Just six months after the ACT Legislative Assembly passed legislation for the introduction of the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets in the country, the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) has released Canberra’s first accredited course in carbon accounting.

The short course will give employees the skills to be able to produce an accurate account of their organisation’s carbon emissions, which is a vital first step towards seeing emissions reduced by 40% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, based on 1990 levels, which are the targets set down in the ACT’s Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010.

On completing the Statement of Attainment for a course in Carbon Accounting participants will understand the history of the formation of carbon on this planet; will know how to calculate a carbon footprint accessing all manner of international sustainable guidelines and practices and will be able to prepare a carbon report for management detailing 6

essential methods and recognised practices to monitor and reduce energy consumption.

The short course, the only accredited carbon accounting course in the ACT (and one of only a few Australia-wide) will be offered for the first time at CIT in June 2011 and will be delivered over three full days.

Ms Velinka Vecchi, from the Centre for Business at CIT who is one of the teachers delivering this course, explains who the course is for and how it can benefit an organisation: “This course is aimed at participants from a range of industries, government agencies and interest groups – not just finance and business. Anyone interested in sustainable practices or who would benefit from an additional qualification to their name would benefit from this course. Every organisation produces carbon so this will be a valuable skill set wherever you work.”

“The resources and tools that participants will have access to and the guidelines and practices they will learn are all internationally recognised. Supplying these resources and information helps to

J U N E 2 0 11 B 2 B I N C A N B E R R A

raise the level of awareness and education with regard to sustainability in the future.”

“CIT is proud to be leading the way in environmental and sustainable education by delivering this course. We are very excited to get the ball rolling with this course and to be able to empower people with the knowledge to make a difference to their own environments.”

For more information on the Statement of Attainment for a course in Carbon Accounting visit the CIT website cit.edu.au

F E AT U R E

Write yourself into our story It’s why we’ve made digitising our collections a priority over recent years – so anyone can access our collections online, from anywhere in the world.

I

Moving yesterday into today t’s one thing to be a treasury of Australia’s wealth of documentary resources, but the National Library of Australia has always believed it’s just as vital that Australians can readily access them. It’s why we’ve made digitising our collections a priority over recent years – so anyone can access our collections online, from anywhere in the world.

We’ve already digitised all of the items to be displayed in the new state-of-the-art Treasures Gallery, set to open to the public on 8 October 2011. This monumental achievement will allow people who aren’t able to physically visit the Library to explore our most iconic and remarkable collection items online.

Today, you can search our catalogue, view over 162 000 collection items, and use the Library’s website as a gateway to the collections of other national and international libraries – all with the click of a mouse.

However, we’re aiming even higher – to make the National Library of Australia’s entire collection as easy to access as doing a Google search, so more and more Australians can enjoy the landmark pieces in our nation’s history.

Tomorrow’s news U."

í>*v%\

PUBLISHED

THE NEWSPAPER OF THE

EVERY

PRICE,

EMPIRE PARLIAMENTARIANS'

VISIT

®lu>

BUSH

(Sift

íftatmir

FIRES

MENACE

MEETING

FIRST

IN

SPEAKER'S

PARLIAMENT

CHAIR

HOUSE

CANBERRA Canberra

of

visited

by

official

first

hands A

bight

early

Around

the

held

plants sun

and

delicate

the

om

the

tulip

situation fiom

to

the

brown the

tulip

is of

pocu

Ireland

in

of

was

Speaker's

liamentary

Gloom, KC, KCMG, the House of Repiósenta benator C B E, Newlands, of the Senate

"On

of

aftei

Scout

Scout

Dr

Ll^c

ments

ho of

of

main

ele-

will tho

Thoic noble

is

than

look

back

íesults

nothing

service

of

of

of

one

of

the

their

wealth.'^ It will of 'the treasured Canberra.'

tlien and what it

the

THE

',

"It

we

great

historic that

memories

there

gathered

arc

to

duty.

that

I

to

has

t.->

*

chair

'

or of

11 h\maklnff-

It

onment that they massive structure

a great Union Bide with the

whose nuttorcd

Jack

«?amber m° <i>'

was

to

colors the cero

the ot

House, arrival

t,,e «Tt

of

four

Canberm 'Boy Bo(?ut3 comm° n<l of the District Dr- Alcom»heir at t0 pas3 »^noticed, and Mo *"Waä."0t the portal8 ° f the HouL f.enle,rlnB a,',lUl8 °f SollBbury and of thp

Commi

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2

ÎL

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of

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welcomed

Australian

officially

Branch

REPRESENTATIVES ACKNOWLEDGING DRITISH VISITORS. God, and for social

to-day."

of

Mai

it is the improve-

ing

still involve considerable labor, but sufficient progress has lichen made to the Interior decorations and furnlshr to convey* a complete Idea'of the finished state.

In .places tlio pa*quet had been comploter]; In others the floor coverings wet o laid; within the legislative chambers the furnishings were complete save for the final

of

elaborate

niches

vent

floor

coverings

of manufacture where Hall,

round of the

Australians

Commissioner

(Mr.

indicate briefly of Parliament

out ral

design

of

which

abroad. the floor

the

great

In the

are

In was case

of

to

the

J.

H.

pose

and

Arthur

with

no

read

the

im

the.agc that

as x

a

house

They the

do

lit

a.»

us

..the

They'grftw

being.

that it is not and rules of a" great govern,'tis, -but an'd 'the. whole practice, is 'the Influence of what is

It'refeeling of the house.

The public 'opinion. opinions the,members

of (he further

electors'and

to

Institution to spirit of consideration ol'our members.

the in

governed

»wete

by

a

spirit'ot which we

a

waa

loyalty

bolong

for

the

,

(Continued

on

Page' 7) TREE

the ¡Senate and House

oï

POST

OFFICE

then

occasion the

of

ponny-in-tho-slot

and of

«ill

the

offices

Acton those

been

Post

and

the Office,

into

read

I

new

use

post

Commonwealth, Canbetia,

An

is

one

agi cement

between

has

Common-

tlio

Co,

Automatic

Ltd,

the

the

erect post

premises

the

son)

as upon be deciced may Postmaster-General (Mr GibThe will pay company to the a quaitei of the gross of the weighing machines, or

Commonwealth

taking

lental at machine,

the

tate

of £5

whichever

gieatei

PLANTING

a

vear

amOunt_

CEREMONY

as

has

this

quite in

four were

them

is

Civic

and

at

set

on

city. and

have

period

a

of

any-

indicat-

the

building

Centre

for date

of

are

Civic

let

being

Centre

which

on

the

direction

centre,

which

the

shops built been

locality

eclipsed

this

shopping

value

in

from

PARLIAMENT

al-

of

five

completion.

HOUSE

the Ceremony

after

for is

each the

James

Dickson, "

with

well

butter

and

The committee ders in

who

in

April

to club's was

under

decided

forward

to

said

.that

it

willingly tions

anything

call

(Mr

so

Turpa ctrict

was

due

Station

has

ing

past.

in

completed

The

conditioned.

wool

the

other

imported do

he

the this

Temora dis year's shearhad shorn 100, 2,500 bales of clip

for

of

work

while

two

days

200,000 a

week.

men

time.

on

wa3

BRITISH STRIKE

out

working Transport

Workers' Union 80, had been out of employment 100,000 had been working: part He saidthat this union had spent a million .sterling in the interests of .the miners was now and half a million sterling in debt..

Mr Thomas made these statements in reply to a resolution to impose a 000

CLIP

campaign, having 000 sheep, producing wool, being the heaviest years well

now

¡while

S.

the motion to the services so that these func-

'supporting

been

only

In

all

successful.

WOOL

on

is feet

and

are

«

T OF

hadwere

of be-

carni-

(Mr.

crane

said

and

motion

recent president

ten-ton the crane

London, October 12.

Mr. J. H. Thomas, at the speaking Labour Conference some to-day, gave startling figures as to what the coal strike was unions.

He costing trades that since May 45,000 railwaymen

for

readily

the

the

The

600

work it ia rall station platform.

The

Is also being brought with requirements by

of a for

COf

ten-

thanks

so

Hardman, on committee, to thank during

rendered

were

BIG

from

their

services

the

sports.

Ryan) in

of

this

new

enlarged

way.

hospital

out cope

platform

length

of

construct

the

equipment Into line

installation foundations

>

given.

resolved, on Woodward and

of

assisted and

to on

trame.

passenger to a

completion

on

proposed offices

goods' more

the the

sports, forwhich showed the

present extended

being

and

on bethat the the hos-

at

.Improvements are being carried Canberra Railway Station both goods sides to The

connection with linking up the hospital with the water mains.

The secretary of the Warrigal Football Club wrote enclosing a cheque for £ 14, being the committee's share of the Hospital Cup game.

The committee

It

follows

at

the passenger and with the increasing

Mr. through of £1/11/-,

of

reported

committee

visiting

progressing

Friendly Societies, last, organised a combined warded a balance sheet that the profits due amounted to £72.

lessrs

England

the sum donation

West

J.

the

was

half

was

school school

forwarded,

a

and donation

a

public public

.

of

pital.

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the

amount to the been

the

'

S.

Rev..

work

STATION Improvements

Railway

presided.

£2/15/as

eggs

of

eggs.

J.

applause,

of

Queanbeyan

together

CANBERRA

Arts, Queanbeyan, Hospital monthly

S. J. Ryan forwarded

Ridley

quantity the

decided

to

of

night last, the held their usual

Mr.

J. a

cheerfully

of

entrusted

left

the

be

ready years

NEW

of Representatives

School

Thursday

also from

children.

The children at Sutton also

half

granting

right to upon such

of the visit of the Association for the pur; presentation of .the SpeakI wIhIi to convey to my colthe Parliament of Australia, of the whole of the together for the first

riment.

In the

the of

the Austialaslan Machine

the

office

for

numbei

a

company machines weighing

by

weighing

installed

at

selected

enteied

wealth

Weighing to

be

public throughout

unions coal.

"either, so exclaimed.

and "You

to

compulsory levy put on embargo

know

don't play

the

you

can't

hypocrite,"

OBITUARY

many and

sound,

Lady EdithvL. Bridges, widow of the Major General Sir. W. T. Bridges, suddenly ort Wednesday morning p.m., at her residence, Walsh-st, Yarra, at the ago of 64 years. had been an invalid for some years, but until Queen Competition recently had an been active worker .on behalf of returned soldiers.

The cofiui will It is yet leave MelAlthough too soon to foreon bourne Friday night, and shadow the be placed result of the Queen Comin the Church of St. it John the petition, is understood that Bapthe vot- tists, Canberra, and the lug for each competitor burial will be during the past in the graveyard week' has there. been Canon Ward very keen,. and that will be the ofllciatlng the Hospital Fund clergyman, and a will benefit ma£ .Watch Service will the be hold nett eriallyby aF the results.

[Church on Saturday morning. late

gathered

hold in the the best wishes

At on

Committee

meeting.

Mr.

Automatic machines

representatives

Uovei

in

shops

Eastlake

Nine to

im-

held

AT

QUEANBEYAN HOSPITAL

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the

ing

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Canberra

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we live. whlch\ it Is representative .-institu-

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wo

countries.

human

,

who

England

of

to lease

Elliott,

upon

unprecedented

an

thing experienced

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by

proceed

been

of,

Marquis, They

representa-

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who

small

saying

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demand the

in

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Ltd.,

remaining

FIRST GATHERING

truth-

died

QUEANBEYAN HOSPITAL

^Parliament

of myself and feel that this flrs,t meeting house if of historical 'character, not only because of the^ presentation of the which chair, I hope'Will'be. a Bymbol Qf good will of the/ members of / the -Parliament at Westminster for the of the members Parliament of t)ie Commonwealth, but because' of the Valuable exchange of Ideas «which should i esult trpm the in my

to the laythe gene-

Hie

was

Minister

held

"~

26,

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erection

the

of

offering

leases

and Hudson's

purchased which

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the

institutions *,{...'

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i

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'

(Australia)

been

with

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re-

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y

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Ltd.,

erected

forthwith.

on

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MESSAGE.

that Jie responded invitation that but before

letter the of

er's Chair, leagues In

of Canberra,

and

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addedvluslre

opportunity

profit

No. up

have

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Parliamentary

Empire meeting House,

Butters)

the"visltors House and city

Salisbury

warm

he, Prime

The

"On

as con-

are to fill them. taken of the gatherHall for the Chief

After morning tea had been served In the luncheon hall, an interesting tree planting ceremony was carried out In tlio courtyard of Parliament.

The

Marquis

tt

diffidence

very

expressed, further tljo

in and

has

Stanley Baldwin), which to the Marquis before we

statue of His MaV., while the empty the hall awaited the adrcmembi anees of great

which

Advantage was ing In the King's

OF

(Applause).

honored

Emplie, that he name."

BALDWIN'S

Marquis of Salisbury, on'rising with loud»

greeted said that

flooring

GIFT

Salisbury.

name

MR. The

a

subdivision.

Leases

Chemical ney,

and

the The

which

igloi'

associations

i

J

trial. the icprescntatlvrij.institutions longer fitted, for thc.ago-.in

live.

THE of

a

Briti&h

fully say the great

ings

yet uncoveicd, lay taining the bronze jesty, King George

THE

qui'

beais the

INSPECTED

Inside the halls of Parliament Itself, inspection of the building commencThe touches finishing to the build-

King's

WELCOME

Parliament

awal^d

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an

ed.

process

place.

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ment

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the

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en-

Commonwealth

been a merc h"ri «at the hrVG British flag spread

OF THE

Count! y and gi catest movement

King,

green

enchanthand

of a wonderful city was In this envirstrolled towards the of Federal P.irlia

Houso. Burmounting

", W» »y

HOUSE

of which

the

surroundings,

every

the

sQsj^ring No.' 1

taken

ion,

propose on

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Senator

his* a

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old country, y "They say," "con/tinned demqciacyjs", on "Its

say

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at

North

Fink

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Avenue.

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shops

.

in Its of 'the

the

tive

and

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background

setting

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in

have

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developed

corner

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by feet

10, 11

recently by

t,

ts mateilal and personification

we

minority OF

pleasant its

pavilion.

to

full

.

embraced

ever

ln_ others again a la of a rise

served

are

in

20

9,

be

weeks.

Circuit

City

Melbourne,

Northbourne Nos.

somê^&i1

British

reminded

"that

presents

a

also

these sites

Centre

to

are

few valuable

a

of

secured of

three

leases

purchased

of the building representing in highest degree^the triumph of Briai standing1 in the historic city scoiíe'of .maní' Wcstmluster, >anu"the events in our aiirtals, ;and is In

the tish jf

the

called

in

The

mihlmum and

Civic

erect

facing

by

next

3,

Avenue

rne

been

Plottel,

No. 6

Both

of

company

corner

has

Aus-

O'Dwyer,

.

.

~j

bo

jl Parliament iccogmscd only the standing orders

ùPEAKER

the

increased, rate drink

of

No.

secured

previously

subdivision

the bou

of

Messrs.

Melbourne,

Lease

the

Block

1 SubGovern-

tlisposed

of

Mr.

this

by

within

leases

two No.

The

Al"ïo of Bank

from to

way,

to

'

tiadltional

every

tariff.

living principally given as the reas-

is

be

probability

for

had 2

develop-

of on

has Road

disposed

of

Melbourne.

Caulfield,

No.

of completion.

date

sale

banks

Centre.

Bank

Parkes,

separated

right

great

willi"

the

flower

their

cases

will

breakfast

w.lth

oc-

minded

be

here

CHAIR

subject'

Lifting their eyes from ment of their Immediate

íaise

some

rate and

carte

the

facing Commercial

is

feet

interesting the

of

Civic

G

Ltd.,- has

which 20

bank3

PAY.

most

been

of

and the

tralia,

Parliament

will

oil)

/ui

its

the

two

Savings No.

Oakley while

House

notable' thjs

board

in charge lounge.

years that

TO

Melbourne, Thursday. as the rush is "cup" setting hotelkeepcrs have metropolitan to

In

on.

bed

than

of

the

the

increasing cost of female employees

I

to

House

-IO

years

of

Just agreed

come

not sit the old called

in

fitted over

17

in,

almost

an.

does

more

for

and aro growth adopted, by oin children. aie They English 'of the dnglh.li-British""of the British (loud not surprised applause). I am when I hour 'cannot that, foreigners manage Hiern. a They aro splendid example of the genius.df our race.

Every member

hostel,

of has

by

division ment lease

5,

-.

perform

It is introduce'

Y

(

THE

One ments held

a

VISITORS

of construction, or to let for

position

has that a great history from and it is a "gift the Commons .and the House whose frbdta stretch back to

distant-j>a*

Its the

afforded

bush heavily

is

CENTRE

SHOPS

in for sites trading of shops have been let.

set

ious period when a great herb" of" the sea-that sep.' which over ^so many thousands of miles unites Great Britain mil Australia-added lustre to the British arras.

You w11 lalso be

nvcntlon.'

and

it-

of

ring

has

of'English history .from the^end.

It iy^-glft representing a

scope

it,'

-of

Lords,,

tory.'

of

should

witness

privilege

pleasure

of thr>

most pleasant recoltour in the Commonremain with us as one

desirable

is

inony

It is my to-dày. this conventional

SPEAKER'S

for

a modern sominunily

before House

no

OCCUPIES'

aro

been

chair Is compliscd^npeaks 'the"gieates"t^momcnts.'1of

long

jther

the

a

of.

GUP

Representatives.

I belong

capacity

have'been may behalf of the

tor and member *'"?

beginning

to

"1

on

the

Commonwealth*'

a formal.introduction, of the speakers in'connection with the interesting cere

in thawoild but the ser-

vice must not be compulsoi y, It must be given That freely is What the boy scout mo\emcnt ser\ice teaches, to

LITTLETON GROOM

a

indeed a moat in presenting

is

the

cover

the Pardeleof

to

on

who have

I

King-«

Empire

the

theliv-ylsit

'trie!

and many to apeak But'I

Commons.

"This casion,

speak of

said,'

to the branches

United

of

this,

df

to

rose

members the Empire ho

tlio

pails

o til cr

lections

for the than futuie, the -movement You boys must la a little thing to be asthe scouts T^atci in

it

with

lives you will know

means more

of

>

and

of

representative.

House, which

representativo'

In Parliament, was period. of

I under take The Chair

task.

House

a

Upper

Commons

-ne.

'¡Tlils^ia the second occasion upon which this Federal Territory has been honoured by the. presence of Members the Brancll of the United Kingdom. trust will that, this vi&lt reof Wo

the

good

boy scout not think sociated your

In

Association,

Association,", a hearty welcome gation from the various the association the fiom

dom

of t)ip .occasion FeueVaPuäiiTtaP

^íar'q'iiiS*'cf

Canberrp 'other t_^/irement said, "which has moio no

branch

liamentary

foi the Fede cxpicssed lils

Teiritpiy, the vlsit'of.

Is

nof

a

'and, apon

extend

inspection oî Alcorn, Dlp

the

troopj,

Commlsslonei

at

movement "There world,"

the

?>m

ino n

behalf

Australian

..

Boy

tiict

Association,

Parliamentary

Littleton

tives, and President

ial Capjtal pleasure ot

Chair

imbljrnous

¿rom

loj

for

he visitors beheld nspiring spectacle

in and

(

Brisbane

by

years from

five

The1

burned Casino

were

between

the atmosphere with smoke

CIVIC

SECURE number

which are at present either in course commenced.

Owners are in a

not

'

-

the Jack

the historic readiness foi

which

.iad boen seatof the House of

one

of sentation rovoinmcnt.

'awns

to'death.

cars

saved

rounded

sui

and

of

/

_"I feel tha,t in speaking on behalf of .he United Kingdom Parliamentary Vssoclation, In the presentation of the

Sir Littleton Groom, House" the of Representaoí the Presidents of the branch of the Empire Par-

of

tives! and Australian

members Parliament«."

(Applause).

possible

to

burned

reports serious bush fires Queensland.

Three farms completely burnt out yesterday the actual district, but

Southeíñ

self is

OP

flrca,

foi mal discussions among in all parties all the

pop-

tions

compass

been

y affords excellent fuel, for country which are drive1« further being heavy winds.

Motorists had narrow yes escapes

'n the Broofleld homesteads were

AND

SYMBOLIC

UNITY.

AT

TO

strong demand Centre and a

Civic

at

Macquarie..

Port

'

Union

n

-Flag stood ceremony

When the assembla^. within the Chamber

.Speaker

Groom

Sallsbut of the delegay anti members to which In reply tion, <tho Marquis" stated on behalf of the delegation that he was pleased to see the boy scout

you

most

variation

every

Emplie

Littleton

Immediately

to

invigorating

hue deepest

pink tin

expanses

Sir

Speaker

the a

In

true

Canberra

65 000

some

with

SIR

Poples

A

of

country between Port Soivth" Grafton appears of catnumbers

Large

MOVE

tele-

Brisbane

.

Rcpiesonlatiyes, Sir

the

the

Pi

spring

o* th« of

elevated

the

which

Large

of

special

there itself

conveyed

every

to

gentle

crimson of

capable

from

the

toiday when their the bush fire area, Lawrence.

ceremony

the;

ed

immedl

and

bom.»

city

this of

most

beauty

llarly

but

ilics,

WESTMINSTER

"VICTORY," EMPIRE

3hargcd

and visitors assemblage

the the

under

Chair

Speaker's

ttío out

were

city

Canberra were

to

of

buttercup

from

compelling of

have

tle

di

of

RUSH

by

Settlers in heroic

flames,

communication 'the majority

in

by

OF

MEMORIES H.AI.S.

Lombard,

of thereafter

the Impressive follow.

a

buildeis

eyes their

morning station

the

hotel up

air

petals

pale

and

the fiom

here

of

where

garden

two

behalf

Here, draped 'and Commonwealth

of

hy de-

-warm

visitors

the

planted

'

on

immediately into the chamber proceeded House' of Representatives.

the

our

the

itself

with

the

of

SPEAKER

happy

in In

alors

city

beyond

Canberra unfolded

MR.

more

of

executed

Monday

railway

the

of

visible

radiant and

/Henderson lar'trees

Il,l.llllilll1ilini!illll'l!lll!!lll'l!

natlonul

a

endowed

conceived

greeted

alighted on

Cnnbeira

Blimpso

morning

«as

Aus'

of

days

not previously in the new Houses

.n

enacted

a

Austral

with

administi

of Its

fair

the

atcly

great

place

and to the tens of thousands who of Canberra, and a message that by ailerue "Australians to be exalted

reality

now

scaicelv

was

vth'ch

richly

faithfully

ïWtors who tra n

skirts

Hotel beauty

of A

could It

so

on

e\ent was

piecincts

future

favoured

admuably so

the

it is

handlwoüc

Hie which

desired the

cty so

ami

the

numbers

in

took

gathering

the c:rcmony,

before,

off

and ablaze.

be

were

never

-with

creation City

foi

stately Paillamcnt

of

face

to

Canberra

tlio

*Uie

tance

impoi the

for

has

of

one

to

reported

making

are

the

telegraphic

cut north

Most Macquarie

serve.

.

embellished

Capital Hotting:

augury

thb

in

art

in

man

Ideal

have been

capital nature sign

as

Canberra

at

gathered the'

witnessed

as

longer to be vindicated;

no

areas

conquer,

BIG

Thursday are

towns.,-

.

and

Inimitable

her of

Tederal

national within

Houses

came

radio, *

smiled

NATÜRG Monday

to

-1

the hundreds who

it

revered.

to

districts

with the

reality

which a gift of imperial significance of Australia, as the day on which .a distinguished gathering as'the day when members of the Government and

the day when ~

To

to

burning

efforts

fires,

Coast

phonic and has been

Canberra,

Commonwealth

the as

Parliament.

of

and

PEOPLE

bush

North

3d.

RâPID CITY DEVELOPMENT

COAST

Escapes

SYDNEY,

nobly

to the Parliament

statesmen

Parliament

attained, and

heard

Canberra had

THE

the span of a week, been brought closer of Australia, whom ii is destined

October 11, 1926, will be known It will be remembered as the day on

Monday, handed

Empire

of

within

has,

TO

Narrow

Serious the

REALITY

Commonwealth

traban history. was

A

NORTH

Some

CEREMONY

many

the people of

N/¡

THURSDAY.

FEDERAL CAPITAL CITY.

I neV

The

Marquis

of

Salisbury Parliament

planting Courtyard.

poplar

a .

tree '

I,

In ^

at 1 South She

'

I

|

"

->

National Library of Australia

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page20360

Our Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program is all about bringing the lead stories of yesteryear back to life. We’ve developed cutting-edge systems that

allow us to not only digitise newspaper content, but make it fully keyword-searchable – so you can search for the people and stories you’re interested in.

Thanks to generous community support, we now converted more than 5 million newspaper pagesconsisting of over 50 million stories to fully searchable articles online.

An Exciting New Chapter The National Library of Australia has long played a vital role as the principal collector and carer of our nation’s stories, history and creative legacy.

We’re world leaders in documenting who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re heading – and making it all available to you. It’s a big task, one we’re privileged to undertake, and proud to be moving in exciting new directions.

If you believe in the importance of preserving our creative and cultural heritage, you can show your support by donating to the National Library of Australia Fund, and help us write an exciting new chapter in our story.

Generous support from our many donors in 2010 helped us continue our endeavours in preserving and providing access to the Library’s wonderful collections. For the first time we were able digitise items in our Asian Collections, including 80 exquisite Japanese woodblock prints from the 19th century to 20th century depicting legends, Kabuki plays and actors from the Edo period.

We were able to flatten and repair two navigation charts annotated by famed French navigator Louis de Freycinet during his 1817-1820 voyage; and we treated the iconic Hunter sketchbook.

It is your support that will ensure these important projects continue to be carried out. Donations to the National Library Fund in 2011 will give us the opportunity to digitise more of our wonderful collection, as well as preserve some true creative masterpieces.

To learn more about opportunities to support the Library visit www.nla.gov.au/supportus or contact the Development Office on 02 6262 1141 or email development@nla.gov.au

OPINION

Facebook and Family Law: Recipe for Disaster Giving consideration to the risks and benefits of new technology can be vital.

By Ann Northcote, Director, Farrar Gesini & Dunn Family Lawyers

N

ot so long ago it might have been the case that the greatest risk associated with a big night out, or a verbal barrage towards your ex, was the later regret when shown the photos or reminded of what you said the next day. But a ‘dancing on the table’ photo or a reminder about what you said to your expartner can be a lot less damaging than giving evidence in the witness box in the Family Court, particularly if you were caring for your children at the time.

However, with an increase towards online and electronic forms of communication, the material can easily become available to a party to family law proceedings. If that person is upset, angry, or intoxicated, new forms of evidence are now being taken seriously in the Family Court. Potential litigants need to be more careful than ever not to do serious prejudice to their case.

A number of recent Family Court decisions have dealt with evidence from Facebook. In one recent decision, the Father sought that the mother and child be returned from New Zealand to Australia. However, because the Father had said to the Mother on Facebook that he agreed the child should live with her, the Court refused the Application.

In another case, the Father was ordered to keep the child at home during contact visits.

He took the child to the beach. He was then photographed with the child at the beach, and the photo was immediately uploaded to Facebook. A mutual friend (but evidently a better friend of the mother’s) printed the photo and the Father was later found to have breached those Orders.

It is becoming increasingly common for one or both parties to abuse or denigrate the other using their Facebook ‘status’, or 8

New forms of evidence are now being taken seriously in the Family Court. Potential litigants need to be more careful than ever not to do serious prejudice to their case.

‘Tweet’ their frustration about the other’s lack of parenting skills or unwillingness to be reasonable. As family lawyers, we welcome such errors of judgement if made by the other side but lament such decisions by our own client.

In parenting matters, the Court takes into account the extent to which each parent is able to promote and encourage the other parent. Comments like, ‘OMG he is such a loser’ and ‘LOL what an idiot’ are not indicative of positive and co-operative parenting relationships. It can be very difficult to ‘undo’ the damage of posts like that. The ease and speed with which Facebook, Twitter, SMS and e-mail can be accessed mean that correspondence is exchanged rapidly and in times when parents may have a high degree of conflict and acrimony.

Often the party who can compose themselves and resist the urge to criticise the other in the initial period of separation or disagreement finds themselves with a head start.

There are some upsides as well. The other use of Facebook to date is as a vehicle of service. In numerous recent Child Support

J U N E 2 0 11 B 2 B I N C A N B E R R A

disputes, parties who have no fixed address, or may be fleeing a violent partner, were also avid Facebook users. If satisfied that a person is very likely to see the documents, the Court can make Orders that instead of that person being served via Process Server, electronic transmission of the documents or a notification to the Facebook account is sufficient. This is particularly relevant when a party disputes paternity or where one party is ‘hiding’ and avoiding service.

In cases where one party wants to relocate with a child to live interstate or overseas, one significant hindrance previously was that the only method of communication available to the other parent was telephone. For young children, visual communication is considered particularly important. The prevalence and increased mainstream use of webcam and Skype has led Courts to determine that a relationship between a young child and the non-relocating parent can be maintained notwithstanding they will have little face to face contact. As such, it is now possible for some parents of young children to move away from the other parent, when they previously might not have been able to.

The emergence of online communication and its extension to online posts of photos and videos presents both traps and opportunities in family law proceedings.

Giving consideration to the risks and benefits of new technology can be vital.

BTW, so u r not stuck in an ‘omg’ situation, c Ann or 1 of the other lawyers at FGD for gr8 advice about Facebook and ur other family law issues.

For an Out of Court Solution contact Consensus Family Lawyers, 17-21 University Avenue, Canberra T: 02 6290 9898 or www.cflaw.com.au

PROFILE

ANDREW NESBITT

W

hen Andrew Nesbitt isn’t diving with Great White Sharks in Africa, sky-diving in New Zealand or trekking in South America, he is a senior manager specialising in tax and business advisory services at Beames & Associates.

Andrew says, “It’s great to go on adventures and my passion for travel and sport keep me focused at work.”

Having lived in Canberra since age eight, Andrew went to Canberra Grammar School and then on to the ANU to complete a BA Commerce Degree.

He started with Beames & Associates in 2002 as an undergraduate.

“When I started I did data entry and tax returns and have progressed to managing a large business advisory services portfolio and several staff,” Andrew said.

During his nine years at Beames & Associates Andrew has seen the firm grow from eight to over 30 staff with the firm now listed on the stock exchange as part of CountPlus, a group of high achieving, premium firms from around Australia.

Andrew says that the philosophy at the Beames & Associates is to establish relationships with clients built on trust and honesty, to be accessible and to give expert advice.

“We pride ourselves in giving expert advice at a ‘big four’ level without the huge price tags,” Andrew said.

Beames & Associates provides many services to businesses and individuals in Canberra.

“Our services cover both accounting and financial planning and include tax returns, business accounting and compliance, self-managed superannuation funds, business development and growth, wealth accumulation, retirement planning and wealth protection. We really specialise in business advisory services and our work there includes business structuring advice, business coaching and implementing profit improvement plans – basically helping SMEs to grow their business and achieve desired financial outcomes,” Andrew said.

“We are a dynamic firm and want to work with clients that have a desire to achieve the best possible outcome from their business, whatever that may be,” Andrew explained, “We want to work with business owners and help them work on their business, not just in it. We want to be partners with our clients on their path to success.”

Andrew says it’s about working with clients to identify long term goals and then aligning those goals to business results. “We then work closely with clients to identify strategies to assist them in achieving the desired outcome from their business, and in turn, achieve their long term goals such as early retirement, being able to spend more time with the family, travel or buying that dream house”.

Andrew says that businesses can come to Beames & Associates at any stage in the business lifecycle including startups and clients from other accountants that are looking for change. According to Andrew people shift accountants when they become

Chartered Accountant Senior Manager Beames and Associates dissatisfied with the level of service.

“We find that people look for a new accountant when they don’t have a relationship with a trusted business advisor.

We pride ourselves on being accessible to our clients and being able to deliver a quality service in a timely manner”, Andrew said.

Andrew says that one of the best things about working at Beames and Associates is being able to work on a wide variety of jobs for a diverse client base. “The majority of my clients are small to medium businesses in Canberra including businesses in retail, IT, professional service firms and medical professionals”.

Andrew says that at Beames & Associates hard work is well rewarded and celebrated in style at quarterly social functions and there are plenty of opportunities for career development.

“The future is limitless for Beames & Associates. We are well positioned for growth and we continue to attract new clients and the best staff in the region,” Andrew said, “As far as my development, I’m working towards becoming a Director at Beames & Associates within the next few years.”

Andrew and the rest of the staff at Beames and Associates are excited about the bright future of the firm.

Beames & Associates is a member of Count Financial Limited AFSL 227232 – Australia’s largest independently owned network of financial planning accountants and advisers.

For more information, on how to plan your financial future, call (02) 6282 9500 or www.beamesandassociates.com.au

B 2 B I N C A N B E R R A J U N E 2 0 11

9

F E AT U R E

6 Goals for Increased Business Performance Part 2 – Improve your Gross Profit Percentage

by Andrew Sykes

I

ncreasing sales is great. In fact it’s the number one goal of most business, however it’s not enough alone to ensure a growing bottom line.

What you need to also focus on is increasing gross profit percentage.

Gross profit percentage is one of the key measures that business should use to assess financial performance. It shows you what percentage of every sale you are earning as profit after allowing for the cost of the product. You then use this gross profit to pay for your overheads – the costs of actually running the business. Higher gross profit will provide you with greater resources to operate your business and lead to a bigger bottom line.

To calculate gross profit you take total sales revenue and subtract total sales costs or cost of goods. If you sell your product for $100 and it costs you $60 to buy wholesale your gross profit is $40. You then divide your gross profit by your gross sales revenue to get your gross profit percentage.

Using the example above, you would divide your gross profit of $40 by your revenue of $100, for a 40 percent gross profit.

To increase your gross profit percentage you can use one of three strategies:

Increase gross profit by increasing sales.

This strategy may sound simple but many small businesses fail to follow a strategy to deliberately increase sales. Simple ideas that can prove effective are: • Measure the conversion rates in your business. Start to record customer enquiries and which ones lead to a sale. It’s great to know that for every 100 enquiries you will get X amount of sales. Once you know this you can then work on increasing it.

• Increase the average sales size. Offer complementary merchandise or bulk buys.

• Seek referrals from existing customers or related businesses.

Manage your margins.

This is where better stock management and buying can improve your bottom line regardless of whether you actually increase sales: • Make sure you do a stock take. If you don’t check you stock, how do you know it has not going missing. Stock can be stolen by customers and staff.

One of the best ways to prevent and manage this is to regularly check it.

• Forecast and plan your inventory more efficiently. Many small businesses suffer lower margins due to spoilage and waste. Work out how much waste you should have in your business and measure against this figure.

You may get a surprise.

• Make sure you check all stock that is received. This will ensure that you only pay for stock that is delivered and is in good condition.

10

J U N E 2 0 11 B 2 B I N C A N B E R R A

Pricing.

A good pricing strategy is key to business performance but it’s one that a lot of businesses lack.

You really need to know why you are setting a price and understand if your price is maximising the benefit out of all of the hard work of running your business. Most business base their pricing on how much their product costs. The most profitable however have moved to strategic pricing – pricing on their customers perception of value.

Simple areas to consider are: • Adjust your prices so that they are in line with your competitors. This may seem obvious but you need to take time out to check what your competition is charging and that you are not too cheap.

• Price some of your stock lines to keep customers coming back. This will be those items of stock that are easy to compare with your competitors. This will keep customers dealing with you and you can then increase your margin on related products that may be a little harder to get.

• Make sure you price all stock consistently – don’t leave the same item on display with a different price.

The customer will always choose the cheapest in this situation.

These are some basic strategies to increase your gross profit percentage and your bottom line. We will be reviewing these and other strategies at our upcoming Increased Business Performance Seminar - email andrew.sykes@rsmi.com.au for more details.

Andrew Sykes is Director, Business Solutions at RSM Bird Cameron For information on business improvements contact our experienced team, 103–105 Northbourne Ave, Canberra.

T: 02 6247 5988, www.rsmi.com.au

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COVER STORY

Photography: Andrew Sikorski

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over 100 years of legal services in the Canberra region xury. u l e c n erieDarwin, “those decisions have been made at elringtons. o paraphrase expCharles

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most adaptable to change, are the ones who, through changing times, are best equipped to succeed”.

While it is apparent he was not referring to law firms, there are some very striking parallels.

Law firms have been around for centuries, and elringtons in particular can trace its roots back to 1897. Firms with a history like that, which are still practising today can lay claim to be an adherent of Darwin and are further proof of his theories. Over time, there have been a number of incarnations, with the most recent being the evolution to elringtons from the former business name of Elrington Boardman Allport. elringtons managing partner, Matthew Bridger, says the name change and the new visual imagery is a ‘secondary concern’ for the firm.

“What truly is exciting is the continuous improvement behind the scenes, all of which is directed to the interests and needs of our clients who come from throughout Canberra and Queanbeyan, and the surrounding area.

Those interests and needs have changed significantly in recent years so the need to adapt and deliver services accordingly is more relevant now than ever before,” Matthew said.

According to Matthew exciting and energetic

“This was essential in order to deliver long term benefit to our clients. elringtons plan to deliver their work to clients, to a previously unconsidered standard of service for the profession,” Matthew said. elringtons is not a specialist, narrow focus law firm, rather it has assembled lawyers and staff of a high caliber into specialised teams

“client first” approach in everything that we do, means that we will be placing our trust in our clients as much as they trust us with their affairs. Let me therefore, make this promise to you on behalf of everyone at elringtons. Every individual in our firm, every action we take, every decision we make will have the very best interests of our clients as their driving force. “

“Let me therefore, make this promise to you on behalf of everyone at elringtons. Every individual in our firm, every action we take, every decision we make will have the very best interests of our clients as their driving force, “ Matthew Bridger, Elringtons Managing Partner that will provide sound advice to clients in Business Services, Property Conveyancing, Litigation and Personal Injury, Family and Migration law, and Wills and Estate Planning.

“At elringtons each case is unique, each client is unique, and each member of our team is unique,” Matthew stated proudly.

It is that personal side to elringtons that distinguishes them from their competitors.

“Our clients’ best interests are our best interests,” Matthew said, “We believe our

Evolution has had a related impact on the firm’s growth, to the point it required them to relocate to new premises. elringtons can now be found at Level 7, 221 London Circuit, Canberra – the former ACTEWAGL building.

Their Queanbeyan office remains at 122 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan, and the Postal address and telephone numbers for both offices remains unchanged.

“Together we’re moving, adapting and constantly evolving,” Matthew said. continues on page 14

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COVER STORY

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elringtons family law team, headed up by partner, Carlos Turini and his team manager, Claire Naidu, approaches every matter with an exciting mix of experience and youthful energy. They and their colleagues work as a team on every matter and that means that their clients get the full range of professional services throughout the course of engaging the firm.

The firm boasts a number of highly skilled court advocates who are able to get their clients the results they seek. They are also persuasive negotiators and achieve settlements with mediation without the need to go to court.

Between them, the family law team has more than 40 years experience in the provision of family law advice. Partner, Carlos Turini, is an accredited family law specialist. Carlos has a reputation for understanding the key issues of a matter quickly and structuring a plan of attack to see the matter through to its successful completion. If you speak to any of Carlos’ clients and colleagues you will see that not only

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Carlos Turini, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1069474), and Nanae Yoshiwara, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0964316) are specialist lawyers in the area of migration law including in the more than one hundred classes and sub classes of visas available.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) grants visas to tens of thousands of immigrants each year including permanent, temporary visas and bridging visas. Each category has specific requirements and criteria to be satisfied. On occasions, it is appropriate to lodge more than one visa application at the same time.

Frequently, a strategy needs to be devised regarding the visa application or applications to be lodged in a specific matter. Carlos and Nanae have the knowledge and experience to assist applicants to formulate their plan and lodge their applications.

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is he well respected as a lawyer, but, he is also a well respected and well liked individual.

Claire Naidu (formerly Grogan) is also an accredited family law specialist. Claire’s knack for getting great results has seen her elevated quickly through the elringtons ranks where she is now the senior associate and practice leader for the family law team. She brings great enthusiasm and energy to everything she does. Claire takes pride in keeping on top of new family law developments including changes to surrogacy and adoption law.

Shera Zaidan is a compassionate and thoughtful solicitor, who has developed into becoming a formidable advocate – due no doubt to her extensive experience working as a Federal Magistrates Associate over a number of years. This experience has given Shera an insider’s perspective of the court process, as her client you know that her advice about the court process comes from someone in the know.

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elringtons is also able to assist those immigrants who wish to come to Canberra and are sponsored by the ACT Government.

The Federal Government responds to changing needs in the Australian economy and publishes an annual list of required occupations. That lists varies from year to year. The ACT Government publishes its own Skill and Business Migration Program each year.

On occasions, it is appropriate to appeal a decision from DIAC either to a tribunal or to the Federal Court. Nanae and Carlos at elringtons are equipped to provide the legal advice and legal representation to those parties.

COVER STORY

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The Business Services section at elringtons is a professional and experienced team of commercial solicitors, paralegals and support staff.

Under the sage counsel of partner, David Walters, the team delivers.

Peter Murphy specialises in property and estate planning, and has been with elringtons for over 14 years. Cassandra Emmett was a commercial and property law partner in Darwin before joining the elringtons business services team, and Rod Anthes in our Queanbeyan office has practised law in NSW for over 20 years.

Evidence of their capability can be found in the complexity of the dealings relating to the Bungendore wind farms, which was efficiently managed to its finality. elringtons also have a skilled team of experienced conveyancers who will guide you through the process of your first home purchase, or your latest investment property sale, and the benefit of engaging an experienced law firm to carry out your conveyance means that you have skilled property solicitors on hand to resolve any contractual issues that arise.

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elringtons also have advisors who use a holistic approach to estate planning which takes into account your family and business circumstances, your wants and needs, and gives you an outcome that will minimise potential for dispute or challenge and allow for ease of business succession. elringtons’ approach to advising business clients of Canberra and its surrounds is to ensure that the client’s business structure is sound and appropriate, and that all their boxes are ticked with respect to risk management, business succession and efficiency of processes. elringtons’ practitioners can conduct a “health check” on your business, examining your structure, trust or partnership or company, your leases and employment contracts, your service provider contracts, your processes including quotes and initial agreements to ensure that debtor levels are managed effectively.

David Walters said, “The Business Services team at elringtons can look after all of your business, commercial and property needs – we’re accessible, approachable and professional”

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litigation practice The elringtons litigation practice group focuses on the principles of dispute resolution. Their aim has always been and will continue to be to resolve their clients’ disputes in the most cost effective manner and to ensure their clients’ rights are protected. elringtons has assisted clients in all aspects of litigation, be it enforcement of contract, recovery of debt, defending winding up applications, or employment law. In addition, elringtons have a significant civil litigation practice with a focus on insurance and compensation law.

Craig Painter, a partner at elringtons, believes that the litigation process often results in a winner and loser.

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“In many circumstances even if you win your primary legal argument, you may lose financially. At elringtons, our focus on dispute resolution is to ensure that our clients resolve their dispute in the most cost effective and timely manner. Our in depth knowledge of the various jurisdictions in the ACT, NSW and Federal environments gives us the advantage in favour of our clients,” Craig said. elringtons are a law firm with a wide range of specialist practitioners, and specialist litigation practitioners count high among that group.

Contact Elringtons, T: 6206 1300 E: info@elringtons.com.au elringtons.com.au

A C T B U D G E T B R E A K FA S T

ACT BUDGET MARKS 10 YEARS OF ACT LABOR and the sky is still holding up rather well ...

Words: Tim Benson

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fter hearing ‘the sky is falling’ for the last nine years nothing really changed at the recent Canberra Business Council ACT Budget Breakfast.

Apparently, if we are to believe the Seselja Opposition, we are going to hell in a hand-basket. According to Zed: taxes are up; rates are up; rents are up; water prices are up; electricity prices are up; parking is up; childcare is up … basically according the Leader of the ACT Liberal opposition – we are ruined.

“We have had to balance our Budget, as well as make investments in services and infrastructure for the community in an environment of below trend Commonwealth revenues,” Katy Gallagher MLA Zed labeled the recent ACT Budget as a ‘battle between the ACT Government’s budget and family budgets all around the ACT’.

In fact according to Zed, “The cost of living is increasing to breaking point, even for families with two incomes,” and “If they (ACT Labor Government) place families under this much pressure when times are good, how much worse will it be for families if times get tough?”

And like a broken record, Opposition Treasury Spokesman, Brendan Smyth MLA, banged on about single lane highways and duplications – Most of the audience seemed to shake their heads and think privately to themselves – ‘This hasn’t seemed to work for ten years Brendan, maybe it’s time to change your tune …’

A breath of fresh air seemed to come from Archie Tsirimokis, managing partner of law firm Meyer Vandenberg in welcoming us all to the CBC ACT Budget Breakfast.

A C T B U D G E T B R E A K FA S T In a few words Archie was able to put our ‘cost of living at breaking point’ ACT Budget into some relative global context ranging from Lesotho to Ireland.

Commenting on the recent Irish budget Archie quoted the Irish Finance Minister as saying, ‘it is clear to us all what went wrong in our economy. In the period leading up to the crisis, the construction sector and property prices grew to unsustainable levels. The appetite of the rampant building industry for labour and other resources put upward pressures on our cost structure. As a result, our competitiveness was damaged and we lost market share for our goods and services. A huge expansion in bank borrowing from property and construction related investment was the final and most lethal domestic ingredient in the causes of our crisis’.

Archie went on to comment that, “It seems to me that those considerations are relevant to an ACT economy that has performed exceptionally well to a large extent because of the building and property sectors and sounds a note of caution for us all.”

And what of the Budget itself?

Well according to then Treasurer, and now Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, the 2011-12 Budget is ‘focused and disciplined’, ‘allows for growth’ and ‘delivers on the Government’s commitment to return the Territory to surplus’.

Katy went on to say that It has been a difficult Budget to finalise and that balancing the financial and social objectives has not been easy.

“We have had to balance our Budget, as well as make investments in services and infrastructure for the community in an environment of below trend Commonwealth revenues,” Katy said.

Katy explained that new spending of $266 million is largely offset by savings of around $217 million over four years and that the Budget continues to progress major investments in the Territory’s

infrastructure to deliver better services to the community, to increase the capacity of our economy, and to support the growth of the city with additional allocations of around $885 million over four years.

And that the Budget includes borrowings of $650 million – $200 million more than the previous forecast.

So how was this all received by the audience? Well most media called the Budget ‘grey’. The ACT Business Council said that it ‘struck the right balance’ and that ‘The ACT Government has unveiled a fiscally responsible Budget’.

When the breakfast came to a close, I headed out into the crisp morning air, glanced heavenwards and felt comforted, that for now, the sky was still in its rightful place.

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A D V I C E

F R O M

B U S I N E S S

E X P E R T S

C O N T E N T S

20 ACCOUNTING

24 ESTATE PLANNING

Directors may become personally liable for unpaid superannuation from 1 July 2011

Financial agreements and estate planning

By Stephen Bourke, Certus Law

By Frank Lo Pilato, RSM Bird Cameron Chartered Accountants

20 ACCOUNTING SERVICES

26 INFORMATION SECURITY Developing disaster recovery plan effectively

Redeeming your business interest due to an involuntary event

By Brett Billington, Hillross Wealth Management Centre Canberra

21 BUSINESS LAW Positive cash flow and director’s liabilities: how can one affect the other?

By Craig Painter, Elringtons Lawyers

21 BUSINESS COACHING To know your customer is to serve your customer... and your business

By Frans Walschots, 10X

22 COMMERCIAL LAW Testamentary guardian

By John Irvine, Trinity Law

22 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE China and India- more than mining opportunities

By Phil Butler, Australian Institute of Company Directors

By Boaz Fischer, CommsNet Group

26

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Trademark examiner adverse reports not necessarily fatal to your application

By Shaun Creighton, ARUNA Trade Mark Attorneys.

28 PERFORMANCE ARCHITECTS Brain exercise - the new caffeine?

By Andy Gregory, Yellow Edge.

28 REAL ESTATE Price your home to Sell(eck)

By Maria Selleck, Maria Selleck Properties

30 RISK INSURANCE How much life insurance is enough?

By Jeff Proud, Capital Wealth

30 WEBSITES Apple vs Mango- take your pickle

By Sam Gupta, Synapse Worldwide

B 2 B I N C A N B E R R A J U N E 2 0 11

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ADVICE

Directors may become personally liable for unpaid superannuation from 1 July 2011

by Frank Lo Pilato

ACCOUNTING

The new Federal Budget has been released under the guise of a tough but fair budget.

One of the areas that the Federal Government has been threatening to strengthen in the past is its taxation laws to counter fraudulent phoenix activity. This Federal Budget seeks to make good on the Governments previous threats.

Whilst it is the Government’s intention to clamp down on fraudulent phoenix activity through these changes, it appears that these changes will have a direct impact upon all directors regardless of whether or not they engage in fraudulent phoenix activity.

The Federal Budget discloses the following changes, to come into effect on 1 July 2011: The director penalty regime will be extended to superannuation guarantee amounts, making directors personally liable for their company’s failure to pay employee superannuation.

At this stage there is no formal commentary as to how this will be enforced or whether it applies retrospectively to superannuation amounts already unpaid as at 1 July 2011.

The ATO will be given the power to commence recovery against directors under the director penalty regime, without providing a 21 day grace period, for certain unpaid company liabilities that remain unreported after three months of becoming due.

In certain circumstances directors and associates of directors will be prevented from obtaining credits for withheld amounts in their individual tax returns where the company has failed to pay withheld amounts to the ATO. The Government estimates that these changes will result in an additional $260 million in revenue in fiscal balance terms over the forward estimates period.

There is a related increase in ATO departmental expenses of $22.1 million over the same period. In underlying cash terms, the estimated increase in receipts is $245 million over the forward estimates period.

A detailed mechanical explanation of these changes has not been circulated as yet, but that does not mean they should be dismissed by directors or professional advisors.

The ATO has been provided with the tools and the funding to enforce compliance and they will be inclined to use it.

Frank is a Director at RSM Bird Cameron and provides advice to clients on all areas of personal and corporate administration.

For more information, contact RSM Bird Cameron, 103-105 Northbourne Ave Canberra T:6247 5988 E:Canberra@rsmi.com.au www.rsmi.com.au

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J U N E 2 0 11 B 2 B I N C A N B E R R A

Redeeming your business interest due to an involuntary event

by Brett Billington

ACCOUNTING SERVICES

Many business owners have professional indemnity insurance and insurance cover against damage to physical business assets. However for many businesses the most important business asset - the key people in the business, are unprotected. According to Ross Cameron Research: While 53% of small business owners have heard of “key person” cover, only 6% actually have this cover. While 37% of small business owners have heard of “buy/sell” cover, only 9% actually have it.

What would the conversation be between your family and the remaining business owners if you were to depart due to an involuntary event (death, disability, or serious illness)?

Would your family and remaining business partners agree on the value and the business’s ability to fund your financial interest?

On the other side, if the business or remaining business partners are unable to fund the purchase of the estates share, will the new owner be unexpected and/or an unwelcome active business partner?

Buy/sell business arrangements are used by business owners who want to ensure that upon their departure from the business due to an involuntary event (death, disability, or serious illness): • there is a pre-determined agreed price for their business interest their business interest transfers smoothly to the surviving business owner(s) the funding is available to fund this transfer.

A buy/sell arrangement has two important components to it: • a disposal mechanism (the buy/sell agreement) • a funding mechanism.

There are a number of funding mechanisms that may be considered (eg external financing, etc). Here the focus is on using insurance proceeds to fund the transfer. That is, using insurance proceeds as consideration for the outgoing owner’s business interest. There are two important considerations when recommending funding via insurance: avoiding unnecessary income tax or CGT on the policy proceeds that will fund the transfer. The ability to achieve this will depend on how the agreement has been structured and the ownership of the policy certainty that the proceeds are used for its intended purpose.

There are also a number of other issues that need to be addressed if using funding through insurance: Who will own the insurance policy/ies Who will pay the insurance premiums Who will receive the proceeds How often the level of cover should be reviewed.

We work with accountants and solicitors to ensure you have the best possible chance of looking after your family.

Hillross Wealth Management Centre Canberra – providing professional wealth management services to clients of our alliance partners.

Brett Billington is a financial adviser at Hillross Wealth Management Centre Canberra.

Level 7, AMP Building, 1 Hobart Place, Canberra City, T: 02 6263 9200, info.wmcc@hillross.com.au, www.hillross.com.au

ADVICE

Positive cash flow and director’s liabilities: how can one affect the other?

by Craig Painter

BUSINESS LAW

There are a number of reasons why, as a director and business owner, you work towards a positive cash flow. This article cannot hope to provide you with all reasons for a positive cash flow but it intends to set out the reasons how a positive cash flow can limit your liability as a director.

The Corporations Act requires all directors to prevent their company from incurring debts that cannot be paid. In short, if a company incurs debts that cannot be paid when they fall due, the company is technically insolvent. The Act provides for personal liability of directors if they allow their company to trade whilst insolvent. In general, before a new debt is incurred a director must consider whether, as a result of that debt, the company may become insolvent. If insolvency is a possibility, there is a positive duty upon a director to not allow the company to trade. This duty also extends to directors who are not involved in the day to day running of the company.

Serious consequences for directors of companies that trade insolvent: 1. Civil penalties up to $200,000.00.

2. Compensation proceedings which are limitless and may lead to the director being personally bankrupt.

3. Irrespective of an agreement between the director and creditors, ASIC may take action to recover damages.

4. Criminal charges with fines up to $220,000.00 or imprisonment up to 5 years or both.

There are few defences that the director can rely on if insolvent trading occurs. In a recent landmark Federal Court ruling, the Judge exercised his discretion under the Corporations Act by relieving the director from any penalty following a finding of insolvent trading.

The Judge did so on the basis that: 1. The director sought advice from a suitable expert about the position of the company.

2. The director took active steps to expand the operation of the company.

3. The business was continuing to increase its earnings.

4. When the director was advised that the company’s financial position was not strengthening he took active steps to engage an insolvency practitioner.

Notwithstanding the potential for a defence for directors for insolvent trading, the recent decision is a one-off and it is unclear whether it will be followed in the future.

For advice on protecting yourself or on director’s obligations please do not hesitate to contact us.

Craig Painter is partner at Elringtons in litigation services Contact Elringtons T: (02) 6206 1300, Level 7, 221 London Circuit, Canberra City visit: elringtons.com.au

To know your customer is to serve your customer... and your business

by Frans Walschots

BUSINESS COACHING

Many businesses operate a “splatter gun” approach – trying to sell to anyone and everyone that walks through the door. It may work for Coca-Cola, but rarely for small and medium sized businesses. A better understanding of your target market will equip you with the knowledge to effectively target your market and convert more potential customers into real paying customers.

Believe it or not, a slower economy is the perfect time to get to know your customer. By considering who your ideal customer is now and getting to know them a little better, you’ll be able to refocus your business and product/service offering and marketing efforts so that your business is squarely positioned to attract all of your industry’s “A” class clients as market conditions improve.

Questions to uncover about your ideal customers: 1. Who are they?

4. When do they buy?

2. What do they buy?

5. How do they buy?

3. Why do they buy?

6. What is it that they expect from you?

By considering who your ideal customer is and aligning your business with their needs you’ll be able to provide a higher level of service, reap the rewards of increased customer satisfaction, and relieve yourself of the headache of dealing with those “D” class clients.

10X recommends: 5 easy strategies to align your business with Your ideal customers: • Just ask – What a lot of firms forget is to actually just ask what their customers think and feel.

• Talk and listen – Simply talking and listening to your customers can make a real difference. This face to face method gives you an instantaneous direct response which is such a valuable piece of market research.

• Interact – The best way to get to know your customers is to connect with them at a level that is familiar to them.

• Adapt – Adjust your strategy immediately from what you find out about your customers. What a customer wants today may be different from last year.

• Direct is best – In a B2B (business-to-business) situation, speaking to the person responsible for buying your product can potentially save you a great deal of time.

Your ideal customers are not like just any other paying customer – they’re the ones that boost your bottom line and leave you with a smile on your face at the end of the day.

Learn more by coming to one of our free Edge events 15 June and 5 July – go to our web page or contact us now on 1300 855 109 Frans Walschots is the business coach at 10X Canberra South.

For more information, please call 02 6295 9800 visit unit 3/71 Leichhardt Street Kingston or www.10x.com.au/canberrasouth

FREE: take a look at our 10X Results Ezine via: www.10X.com.au/news

B 2 B I N C A N B E R R A J U N E 2 0 11

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ADVICE

Testamentary guardian

by John Irvine

China and India more than mining opportunities COMMERCIAL LAW

Death is a topic that most people would prefer not to think about, however it is prudent to consider the affect your death would have on family and loved ones.

For example, if you have children under the age of 18, who will look after them? Who will love and care for them? Will the carer raise your children the way you would want them to be raised?

These important questions should be considered at the time of writing your Will. Why? Because while you are alive, and of sound mind, you have the power to appoint via your Will a ‘testamentary guardian’.

If you don’t appoint a testamentary guardian and there is no surviving parent able to look after the children, the court will need to determine who should look after your children.

While the court will take into account the children’s best interests, it may appoint someone that you would not necessarily have chosen for that role.

A testamentary guardian effectively stands in your shoes and has the same responsibilities for the care, maintenance and education of your children. As such, this should be a person who will raise your children with similar love and care to you (typically a close relative or friend).

However it is important to note that this does not guarantee that your children will live with this person. A testamentary guardian will only have the daily care of your children if there are no surviving parents and there are no Family Law Court orders in place saying who the child is to live with.

If you decide to appoint someone to act as a testamentary guardian of your children, you should always gain that person’s consent first.

To assist the testamentary guardian, you can also prepare “Guidelines” setting out the important issues you would like them to consider in caring for your children.

Generally, the Guidelines set out your wishes in relation to your children’s welfare, upbringing, education, religion, lifestyle and even which values they should promote.

Although it is not legally binding, the document can go a long way in assisting a court or tribunal to decide what is in the best interests of the children should adjudication be necessary.

John Irvine is a partner at Trinity Law. Trinity Law is a boutique firm which is focused on providing business and corporate legal services and is motivated by long term business relationships.

2/214 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon ACT T: 6163 5050 www.trinitylaw.com.au

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by Phil Butler

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Having just returned from the Australian Institute of Company Directors conference in Beijing, my head was filled with a dazzling array of information and insights on Australia’s largest trading partner.

China’s growth rate is extraordinary and the fact that the growing middle class will start to consume more goods and services will provide further stimulus to the economy.

The massive movement from rural to the city is starting to slow in percentage terms, however there will still be vast numbers in real terms making the move.

There is no doubt that this adds some real challenges to China, and a couple of days spent in the Beijing smog certainly brought home the environmental issues, however the ongoing economic stimulus this brings is of huge magnitude.

A couple of the speakers made some observations that really resonated and provides some insights into the future challenges and opportunities. It is likely that real wages will grow at about 8% per annum over the next 3 years. This has the potential of spiking inflationary pressure, but also means that the days of cheap labour in China may be over.

It is likely that some manufacturing may move out of China to other cheaper places such as Eastern Europe and other Asian nations.

Likewise, the ageing population of China will have impacts as the “bubble” of retiring Chinese need to be looked after by a reduced workforce, and the health impacts that will emerge over the next 10 years.

It is likely that both China and India will provide further opportunities for Australian businesses – and not just in the mining sectors.

The provision of education and health services could be a unique market for Australian entrepreneurs to explore. One of the speakers informed atttendees that India would need about 20,000? additional teachers per year over the next 10 years, and they did not have the “pipeline” to produce anywhere near that amount.

The final words of importance however came from Australian Ambassador, Geoff Raby. Geoff pointed out the importance of developing strong relationships and really getting to know the culture of China. While that can be time consuming and frustrating, in the long run it is essential to make that investment.

Phil Butler is state manager of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ ACT Division. For more information about AICD ‘s course programs and events, T: 02 6248 5954.

SETTLE FAMILY DISPUTES OUT OF COURT It’s hard enough when a relationship ends. So the last thing you need is soaring legal costs, protracted, public court proceedings, and your personal affairs being determined by a judge.

Consensus provides a better alternative to the Courts.

We use collaboration, arbitration and negotiation between the couple to find open-minded solutions that work.

It’s discrete. It’s fair. And everybody leaves in agreement.

For a new style of dispute resolution which puts you back in control, turn to Consensus.

Canberra ACT 2601 T 02 6290 9898 F 02 6257 4382 info@cflaw.com.au www.cflaw.com.au

ADVICE

Financial agreements and estate planning

by Stephen Bourke

ESTATE PLANNING

So you have found love again and are engaged to be married.

We hate to be the bearer of bad tidings however statistically the failure rate for second marriages is higher than first marriages. Further, with second marriages, there is a likelihood of tensions between the second spouse and the children of the first marriage. They are not all like the “Brady Bunch”.

The assets you both brought into the second marriage and which might have been intended for the children of the first marriage will become available for distribution in a potential family law settlement if the recent marriage fails.

It is important that this potential cause of friction between yourself and your new spouse but also between your children (and perhaps even between your spouse’s children) should be alleviated as much as possible.

The best way of ensuring that this friction is minimised is through a well thought out estate plan. In addition, you should also consider a Binding Financial Agreement under the Family Law Act 1975.

Under a Binding Financial Agreement, you and your spouse can agree on how to divide property in the event of separation before marriage (in lay person’s terms a ‘Pre-Nuptial Agreement’), during the marriage or after the marriage. It is now also possible to enter into Financial Agreements prior to entering into, during or even after a de facto relationship.

You could, for example, in a Binding Financial Agreement agree that all assets you had prior to the commencement of the relationship are excluded from any future property settlement in the event that you separate. This will avoid the potential that your children may consider the new spouse to be a “gold digger”.

A Binding Financial Agreement is also useful in circumstances where there is a family business involved, especially if other family members are also involved in that business.

While the Agreement itself only operates upon separation, it is still a valid document in the event if that separation does not occur before death as it may be able to be used as evidence of the intentions between the parties if a family provision claim is made against the estate by the surviving spouse.

If you are part of a blended family or intend to create a blended family, it is critical that you obtain expert legal advice in drafting your estate plan.

Stephen Bourke is a director of the boutique firm, Certus Law, which specialises in superannuation, trusts and estate planning. Visit Certus Law at Level 5, 28 University Avenue, T: 6268 9090, www.certuslaw.com.au

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Do you have a business that would fit into our July issue Restaurant and Catering feature?

B2B is serving up a highly appetizing ‘Restaurant and Catering’ feature in the July issue of the magazine.

If you operate a business which caters to the culinary desires of the business and government communities and you would like to connect with 15,000 local businesses and every government department, then this feature is for you.

If your business would like to be a part of this feature, or to make further enquiries contact: Manning Fell Advertising Executive B2B 0459 024 368 manning.fell@b2bincanberra.com.au

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ADVICE

Developing disaster recovery plan effectively

by Boaz Fischer

INFORMATION SECURITY

The primary objective of a Disaster Recovery Plan is to enable your organisation to re-establish normal business functions following a disaster causing a loss of IT systems and or data. In order to survive, you must ensure that critical operations and processing can resume normal functions within an acceptable time frame that has been determined as part of a business impact assessment.

It is quite evident that as companies become more dependent on information, the impact of information loss will increase. The role of Business Continuity has often been confused with Disaster recovery So, what is the difference between a Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity? Disaster Recovery is about recovering the business information or information services while Business Continuity is about providing alternative ways to operate until normal operations and services resume. It could be simply having a copy of your accounts in paper form and calculator all the way a hot standby virtual business in a different city.

The disaster recovery process must be regimented if it is to succeed.

A disaster recovery process consists of defining rules, processes and disciplines to ensure that the critical business processes can be restored even in the case of a catastrophic event.

The following are key elements in Disaster Recovery Planning: • Establish responsibility for disaster recovery planning as part of broader business continuity planning responsibilities.

• Develop recovery strategies that support business continuity.

• Implement supporting systems and processes.

• Test and verify the plan on a regular basis.

Here are the 7 key steps necessary to develop a successful DR Plan: Step 1: Plan and scope your requirements Step 2: Establish DR planning group & responsibilities Step 3: Conduct a risk assessment Step 4: Conduct a business impact measurement Step 5: Develop escalation, notification and activation plan Step 6: Develop recovery strategy process Step 7: Develop DR plan It’s extremely important that you regularly conduct training and simulation exercise. See how effective your DR plan. See how effective you can recover from a disaster.

Should you require any further information, visit our web site – www.commsnet.com.au. There are many strategic white papers that will offer you great guidance in developing appropriate security resiliency.

Boaz Fischer is the managing director of the CommsNet Group. For more information, contact T: 02 6282 5554 or visit Level 1, 67-69 Dundas Court Phillip, mail@commsnet.com. au, www.commsnet.com.au

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Trade mark examiner adverse reports – not necessarily fatal to your application

by Shaun Creighton

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

After a trade mark application is filed it is examined by a Trade Mark Examiner. All trade mark applicants hope to get a “clear” Examination Report. This enables the application to be advertised as accepted.

However, many applicants receive an Examiner’s “adverse report”, leaving some to think the application is “dead in the water” (not automatically true) and others wondering what to do next.

It may be possible to make submissions to IP Australia. Before submissions, applicants often choose to have a review carried out by trade mark attorneys or lawyers specialising in trade mark law. If there are reasonable prospects, the applicant may instruct the professionals to draft and file submissions. The content of submissions varies depending on the objections raised by an Examiner in the adverse report.

So, what objections might an Examiner raise? Objections often stem from section 41 and/or 44 of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth) (TMA): Typical objection - lack of distinctiveness (s41, TMA): Here, the Examiner assesses that the mark is incapable of distinguishing the applicant’s goods/services from those of other traders (for example, attempting to register the word BIKE for bicycles). For a s41 objection, suitable submissions generally include: • legal submissions relating to the extent to which the trade mark is inherently adapted to distinguish the designated goods/services; • evidence in the form of statutory declarations attesting to the use (and depending on facts, the intended use) of the trade mark by the applicant; and • legal submissions relating to any other relevant circumstances.

Typical objection - conflict with certain pre-existing marks (s44, TMA): Here, the Examiner assesses that the mark is substantially identical or deceptively similar to an earlier registered mark (or application) and registered (or applied for) in respect of similar or closely related goods/services. For a s44 objection, submissions generally include: • legal submissions that the marks in question are not substantially identical or deceptively similar and/or there are no conflicting goods / services; and/or • legal submissions and associated evidence to show prior user or honest concurrent use; and/or • enclosing a letter of consent from the proprietor(s) of the conflicting mark(s).

At ARUNA Trade Mark Attorneys we can provide you with a free of charge and no obligation preliminary assessment of prospects of overcoming an Examiner’s adverse report.

Shaun Creighton is a director of ARUNA Trade Mark Attorneys.

Level 3, 54 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra T: 1800 705 680 or 02 6221 9555 www.aruna.com.au

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27

ADVICE

Brain exercise – the new caffeine?

by Andy Gregory

PERFORMANCE ARCHITECTS

Increased complexity, multi-tasking, information overload, interruptions and coping with uncertainty and constant change in the workplace. It amounts to Cognitive Overload. The brains at work in your organisation are doing some heavy lifting. Lots of it. Perhaps it is showing up in falling productivity, delayed or decreased decision making, absenteeism, presenteeism, disengagement, dissatisfaction, stress and even depression.

In relatively recent times, neuroscientists have discovered that the human brain is in fact plastic and can change and repair itself, but needs to be exercised to be kept in shape. These discoveries in the emerging field of Neuroplasticity have led to the development of Cognitive Brain Training programs which can equip your team to handle this ‘new normal’ in the workplace.

Learning to separate key information from ‘noise’ leading to better decision making capability, faster response times, greater concentration, improved memory, are just some of the benefits of regularly exercising our brains in a deliberate and disciplined way. Failing to do so could be costly for your business.

An effective brain training program should address all five main cognitive domains: • Memory • Attention • Problem-solving • Language • Visual-spatial skills The program should also be engaged in regularly (three times a week is the recommended minimum); be of a sufficient duration (10-20 minutes per session); and be personalised to an individual’s own level of competence (that is, be challenging but achievable). The brain exercises ideally should be user-friendly, engaging and rewarding so individuals will be motivated to continue participating in the training.

Brain plasticity is a two-way street and we can either drive brain change positively or negatively. Negative change occurs with rigid behaviours and habits. The longer we stay stuck in one particular function or job role the more likely that brain plasticity will decrease.

A good brain exercise program helps the mind stay fit and nimble.

We all accept that physical exercise is necessary and indeed vital to thriving in today’s world; it is my belief that in the very near future the same will be said about Brain Exercise.

Andy Gregory is chief executive and a founding director of Yellow Edge. He has extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. andy.gregory@yellowedge.com.au.

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Price your home to Sell(eck)

by Maria Selleck

REAL ESTATE

Once you have decided to sell your home, the next logical step is to decide how much to ask for it. An indication of the possible sale price of your home can be obtained fairly quickly by researching sale prices that have recently been achieved in your area for comparable properties.

Reputable web-based sites such as Allhomes make this initial research task easier for those unfamiliar with the current real estate trends.

It is important to understand that if your asking price is unrealistically high, potential purchasers may not even bother to consider your home.

Like sellers, most purchasers also do their research. Astute purchasers will develop a sense of value for the homes they like but will quickly reject those they perceive to be overpriced, usually before inspecting them.

However, remember that the true value of your home will ultimately be determined by the ‘market’ (the purchasers) and of course the energy and skills sets of your agent. If the agent you choose is on the ball, he or she will be able to offer realistic advice on the most likely achievable price.

Two of the biggest mistakes home sellers tend to make when selling their home are selecting an agent solely based on them quoting the highest List Price combined with offering the Lowest Commission because sellers, quite naturally, would much prefer to achieve the highest possible price and pay the least amount of commission. But those two criteria have very little to do with hiring a competent agent and, in many instances, are completely irrelevant. Let’s look at why.

Realistic appraisals, like commission fees, are critical to the whole sales process. Any agent can provide you with a high valuation figure to secure the listing, but their ability to actually obtaining that high price can be quite another matter. Ascertain if the figure provided is as a result of experience, skill and knowledge of the market, or whether you are just being told what they believe you want to hear. Being enticed by a high appraisal is just as risky as negotiating a low fee with an agent. It may well prove to be a false economy, because it won’t necessarily generate the high levels of enthusiasm needed to get the best result. Remember, estate agents work for money, so why not create an incentive to benefit both parties? A full asking price deserves a full fee but you might want to agree a downward sliding scale if offers fall below it. The agent with the lowest commission rate and/or the highest valuation for your home is NOT necessarily the best option so choose wisely

Maria Selleck is the owner/director of Maria Selleck Properties. For more information, contact T: 6162 1234, 30 Bougainville St, Manuka, info@mariaselleck.com.au, www.mariaselleck.com.au

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ADVICE

How much life insurance is enough?

by Jeff Proud

RISK INSURANCE

Ultimately the answer to that question is a very personal one as it depends on your individual circumstances and importantly the outcomes you want for those you leave behind.

Remember, life insurance is not something you buy for yourself.

You buy it to protect the people who rely on you. How much insurance you need is therefore determined by the needs of the people you’re protecting.

If you have a family you’ll want to guarantee that they have somewhere to live. So having enough insurance to pay off your mortgage is an important starting point. Most people would agree that their debts should not outlive them, so ensuring enough insurance to clear any other debts would be a logical next step.

But is that enough?

There are other considerations. How long could your family survive without your income without sacrificing their lifestyle? Even though they may now be debt free it still costs money to live. Do you have plans for your children’s education? Remember that someone may now need to be paid to do many of the things that you currently do. Will your partner need to pay for child care or domestic assistance to allow them to go to work, and the list goes on.

The average mortgage is now around $350,000, add to this other loans and many families currently have $500,000 of debt or more.

With you gone your family will need invested funds to replace your income. In order to generate $50,000 per year you would need $1,000,000 invested at 5% interest. Add to this the cost of education and other needs and you can start to see how valuable you are!

What if you’re in business with someone else? What would happen to your share of the business if you died? How would your family be assured of receiving full value for your share, particularly if they aren’t involved in running the business? How would your business partner be assured of having the funds to buy out your family if that’s best for all parties? Again, the right amount of life insurance can ensure that no one has to make sacrifices and that those who rely on you are protected from hardship.

A discussion with an experienced life insurance specialist will help you consider your circumstances to determine the right amount of insurance. While it’s not the most exciting conversation you’ll ever have, it may mean everything to the people you care about.

Jeff Proud is a director at Capital Wealth.

Contact Jeff on T: 02 6239 1566, 14 Dundas Court Phillip 2606, www.capwealth.com.au

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Apple vs Mango – take your pickle!

by Sam Gupta

WEBSITES

Microsoft has decided to bring the fight out into the open by ‘codenaming’ its new mobile phone ‘Mango’. I think this is the first time any phone will give some head-to-head competition to Apple’s iPhone. It has some impressive features and frankly, it shook my loyalty with iPhone a little. Let’s take a look: Awesome communication Mango has all your conversations stored by the person. Be it SMS, emails, facebook, twitter, online chats, phone calls and even voicemails. When you click on a contact, it displays your conversationtreads in a user-friendly format. It shows if your friend is online at that time and gives you an option to connect with them.You can also put all your email inboxes and calendars, personal as well as work, all in one place, so, you don’t have to check 3 different calendars. Another great feature!

Juicy Apps & 3D In Mango, apps are seamlessly integrated into the phone. for example you can pin your boarding pass for the next flight from an Airline’s app on your home screen, so that you don’t have to look for it at the time of check-in. The Mango also dutifully handles multi-tasking. For example you can move from one game to another without exhausting your battery life. The Mango also interacts with Microsoft’s XBOX Live.

Smooth mobile web The Mango provides rich interactive search results, an improvement over the boring old blue links. It then seamlessly connects your results with the most suitable app on your phone.

The Mango provides indoor maps for public places, integrated with store directories and current location information.

Cool new feature September last year, I talked about future technologies. Mango has embraced one of them. With Mango, you can now perform a ‘visual search’ using your phone camera for things such as the Books. It will search and find the book on the internet and can also allow you to purchase online.

Now, I can’t really explain some of its great features in few words; you really need to watch a video of this. You can find the video on Synapse Worldwide’s facebook page or by searching ‘Microsoft Mango’ on youtube.

So, that’s Mango! Let me know what you are likely to pick next; Apple or Mango?

Sam Gupta is the managing director of Synapse Worldwide. Sam would love to hear your thoughts on this advice column.

Please contact him on 1300 785 230 or admin@synapseworldwide.com

YOU CAN NOW FOLLOW B2B ON FACEBOOK: ‘B2B in Canberra Magazine’

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GOVERNMENT TO BUSINESSS

Local research organisations and small ventures can now benefit from a new $3million fund that supports the development of commercial opportunities

“Professor Michael Cardew-Hall, CEO of ANU Connect Ventures, launches the Discovery Translation Fund at ANU’s new innovation precinct in Canberra.”

L

ocal research organisations and small ventures can now benefit from a new $3million fund that supports the development of commercial opportunities. The Discovery Translation Fund (DTF) aims to help commercialise new innovations and technologies and is an initiative of the ACT Government and The Australian National University.

The Fund is focused on reducing the risk of new ideas by assisting with: proof of concept experiments or demonstrations; intellectual property advice; and early stage commercial development activities.

This means that new concepts or technologies can be developed to a point where commercial investment is more likely.

Supported projects will be undertaken by ACT-based public sector research institutions, small enterprises with an annual turnover of less than $1million, or individuals. The projects must also demonstrate a benefit to the ACT. Projects by Canberra region based applicants may be considered if they provide a clear benefit to the ACT. A typical project will receive between $25,000 and $100,000.

However in some circumstances, exceptional projects may be granted a larger amount. The Fund will support key ‘proof of concept’ development activities that demonstrate the commercial potential of a discovery. Related activities that contribute to reducing the commercial risk of the idea such as expert consultation and training can also be funded through the DTF. The funded project must lead to clear demonstration of commercial potential and be completed within 12 months.

The Fund was created to help bridge the funding gap between discovery research and the commercial development of new technologies or the establishment of new ventures. Many cutting edge innovations are made in Canberra, but stop once research has concluded, and a discovery made. The challenge then becomes the availability of funds to take this discovery and realise the commercial benefits.

Changes to the global economic situation in recent years have impacted on the private capital market. Many private investment funds have adjusted the level of risk they deem acceptable. This has reduced the availability of funding for high-risk projects, like those in the early stages of developing ideas for commercial application.

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J U N E 2 0 11 B 2 B I N C A N B E R R A

New funding for local early stage ventures The DTF can help progress a discovery through these early stages to a point where commercial success is sufficiently proven so that an injection of capital is considered to be an acceptable risk to investors.

Unlike similar funds, the DTF does not require recipients to provide dollar for dollar investment towards the project. Although a requirement for matched-funding from the recipient or repayment following completion of the project cause funding recipients to assume more of the risk, it also can lead to exceptional ideas with real commercial potential, being left on a shelf due to difficulties in raising the funds or inability to guarantee repayment.

The Discovery Translation Fund also takes a unique approach to the application process. Like many similar funds, an expression of interest (EOI) is required to commence the application process. Once the EOI has been reviewed for a basic match with the Fund guidelines, potential applicants will receive support from a refereeing organisation. The fund makes use of the expertise of the ANU Office of Commercialisation for ANU-based applicants and Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre for other applicants.

The role of these referees is to provide assistance to the applicant to complete a formal application. As well as confirming the applicant can meet the criteria of the fund, there is opportunity to identify and make recommendations and referrals to bridge gaps in the applicant’s business skills. This is an important opportunity that not only leads to high quality applications, but can also provide targeted business advice to help maximise the commercial benefit of funded projects.

By helping to develop the commercial potential of ideas to the point where new technologies and innovations are solid investment opportunities, the Fund is playing an important role in building local business capability and supporting the innovation environment of the ACT. The Fund has been designed to work alongside other ACT Government programs including InnovationConnect and government advisory services to technology related firms.

The Discovery Translation Fund is managed by ANU Connect Ventures. For more information, visit www.anuconnectventures.com.au.

A S S O C I AT I O N S T O B U S I N E S S

A2B

Examining Budget expenditure closely, we can see that it is a targeted investment designed to give maximum bang for the buck.

A balanced and responsible budget

T

he 2011-12 ACT Budget is aimed squarely at getting the ACT back into the black in the wake of the major deficit created during the Global Financial Crisis. The fact that it does this in a sensible manner, without any cuts to core services, while also maintaining a high level of investment in key areas such as infrastructure and tourism, is a credit to the ACT Government. If the Budget forecasts hold true the ACT should be back in surplus by 2013-14 and will maintain its AAA credit rating.

Canberra Business Council is pleased to see that the ACT Budget does not sacrifice the future of business in the Territory in a race to get back into surplus. The ACT economy has continuously stood out as one of the top-performing economies in Australia throughout this past year, and any short-sighted measures such as increasing taxes or reducing business assistance programs would only place this in jeopardy. In line with the Council’s recommendations, the ACT Government has found $217m in savings over four years through rationalisation of the public sector. These savings, combined with increased revenue and $650m in general government borrowings, mean that the ACT Budget offers $266m in new policy initiatives and $885m in new capital investment over the next four years.

Examining Budget expenditure closely, we can see that it is a targeted investment designed to give maximum bang for the buck. A sizeable portion of the new infrastructure spend will go towards building the Majura Parkway ($144m), a critical transport link which will provide substantial benefits to the entire community. Canberra Business Council is now involved in efforts to secure Federal Government funding to match the ACT Government’s investment, ensuring the success of this vital project.

Tourism and sporting events receive support from the budget in recognition of their major contribution to the economy. Upgrades to Canberra Stadium, funding for the National Arboretum Canberra, assistance to the Canberra Convention Bureau, development funding for the proposed Australia Forum, a Blockbuster Fund to attract major exhibitions, and the building of the Centenary

Trail are all designed to improve the National Capital as a place to visit and a centrepiece for the nation.

Important business development programs are also well funded. The Innovation Connect (ICON) Program receives $1.6m, the Skilled and Business Migration Program is allocated $1.1 million, and the Education Services’ Export Sector Strategy gets $200,000 for example. Combined with an accelerated land release program designed to deliver 18,500 new residential sites over four years, these measures will assist businesses in developing and commercialising innovative products, and help address chronic skills shortages by making Canberra a more affordable place to live.

The Council does have reservations regarding two aspects of the ACT Budget. Almost half of the new capital investment announced will go towards building a new government office building in civic.

Although development of this $432m office building won’t begin until 2013-14, it is important for the ACT Government to keep in mind that the ACT already has a very high office vacancy rate.

The Budget promises no new taxes, however a new Lease Variation Charge (LVC) will be implemented as of 1 July 2011, replacing the Change of Use Charge. Though transitional arrangements are in place to lessen the initial impact of the LVC, ultimately it will substantially increase the amount of revenue the ACT Government reaps from this tax. Canberra Business Council remains opposed to this charge, particularly in its new and heftier form.

Despite these concerns, the ACT Budget walks a balanced path in providing essential services, investing in the Territory’s future, and returning the ACT back to surplus within a reasonable period.

It’s impressive to note that for a relatively small jurisdiction, ACT Government expenditure will exceed $4 billion in 2011-12, and the ACT remains one of Australia’s leading economies. There are risks to our continued prosperity, but the Council is confident these can be managed by business and government in partnership.

T 6247 4199 E info@canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au www.canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au

Principal Members ACTEW Corporation, ActewAGL, Bank West, Blue Star Printing Group, Canberra International Airport, Cre8ive, Elite Sound & Lighting, Ernst & Young Services Trust, eWAY, Hindmarsh, HolisTech Pty Ltd, ISIS, KPMG (Canberra), Master Builders Association (ACT), Medibank Health Solutions, National Australia Bank Ltd (Turner), National Museum of Australia, NEC Australia Pty Ltd, Staging Connections (ACT), The Village Building Co, Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems Australia, TransACT Communication

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UPCOMING EVENTS 21 June 2011 Canberra BusinessPoint Workshop – Business Fundamentals TIME 8.30am – 4.30pm VENUE Canberra BusinessPoint, 216 Northbourne Ave, Braddon COST $85 12 July 2011 ACT Chief Minister’s Business Luncheon Guest Speaker: Katy Gallagher TIME 12.30pm -2.00pm VENUE Hyatt Hotel COST $77 Member $99 Non-Members

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PRESIDENT

For more information on the ACT Exporters’ Network visit actexportersnetwork.com, or contact the Network’s manager, Pam Faulks, on 0400 090 452, pam.faulks@ canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au.

The ACT Exporters’ Network is proudly sponsored by the ACT Government, Canberra Business Council, the Centre for Customs & Excise Studies and AusIndustry.

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CT Exporters’ Network recently undertook a survey of its members and other stakeholders, receiving almost 60 responses over a four week period.

The aim of the survey was to get a snapshot of international business activity in Canberra and the region, as well as to find out a little more about what members want from the Network, as well as what they can contribute.

Most respondents export goods or services (80%) or provide services to assist exporters (16%), but a small percentage (7%) have not yet entered the export market. These percentages total greater than 100% as some businesses are both exporters as well as providing services to exporters.

Those respondents who provide services for exporters include those that provide software support for electronic tendering and evaluation or mobile payment technology; export marketing planning; in-county knowledge; market research; financial advice and services; grant advice and administration; legal advice and services; and assistance with relationship building.

Results from the survey demonstrated the depth of export experience in Canberra, with 44% of respondents having been involved in international business for over ten years, while other exporters are just starting out, with 13% exporting for less than two years.

With similar variety, while some export businesses devote 100% of resources to exporting, others balance exporting with domestic sales, with an average of 40% from survey respondents.

Despite economic difficulties over the past year, particularly with the strength of the Australian dollar, just over 45% of exporters who answered this question indicated that sales had increased over the past 12 months. This varied amongst companies from 5% to 300%, with an average of 85% increase in export sales.

But not all exporters were able to increase sales over the past 12 months. Some of the barriers to success that rated most highly in the survey included financing international markets; indentifying in -country distributors; managing cash-flow fluctuations; building partnerships and alliances and indentifying prospects and securing customers.

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As those associated with exporters know, successful exporters need to travel frequently to establish and build relationships in new and existing markets. Survey results show that exporters have an average of 3.5 overseas trips per year to service their markets, being away from home for an average of 38.8 days per year.

Over half of these exporters use travel agents to assist them with their travel arrangements.

In particular, respondents valued prompt service and good access to change tickets when overseas; support for connectivity where there are multiple travel legs and a complex itinerary; and advice and expertise.

On top of the extensive travel done by respondents, 40% of exporters who responded to the survey have staff permanently based overseas.

This can range from one to 50 staff members, with an average of 13 staff members per exporting business that have staff permanently based overseas.

While Canberra’s exporters have found success across the globe, USA (21%) and UK (12%) were most frequently listed as markets by survey respondents, while the countries of Asia, particularly China, Singapore and Malaysia were also frequently listed.

While those outside the export community are often surprised that Canberra has a strong and vibrant export industry, the results of this survey confirm that not only is this a growing and important part of Canberra’s economy and business culture, but that it is an industry that will continue to grow as its members, particularly those involved with the ACT Exporters’ Network, work together to help each other.

Survey respondents indicated that the benefits of Network activities included hearing of other people’s experiences and meeting other who can share their experiences; getting good ideas on what to do and what not to do; opportunities to link up with government decision makers; moral support; networking with like-minded people and companies; and information and advice. Of all Network activities the Business Breakfasts were listed as most popular with survey respondents.

Thank you to all those who took the time to complete this survey – the information and feedback obtained through this process assists the Network to provide a better service to its members and other stakeholders.

A S S O C I AT I O N S T O B U S I N E S S

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In additional to the normal events in our community, we had the Hawke review of the ACT public service, the ACT Budget, Jon Stanhope’s retirement as Chief Minister and the Federal Budget...

In 1964 Harold Wilson said “A week is a long time in politics”

T

he last few weeks have been very busy in politics. In additional to the normal events in our community, we had the Hawke review of the ACT public service, the ACT Budget, Jon Stanhope’s retirement as Chief Minister and the Federal Budget.

Prior to the ACT budget there was concern about how tough this budget would be. The need to return to surplus following the global financial crisis was key, and the impact the GFC was still having on the ACT government’s share of GST was of concern. Being a small jurisdiction, the ACT had already taken most of the benefits from the fiscal stimulus of the Building the Education Revolution.

In the end, most of this concern was misplaced.

We received a responsible budget from the ACT government. Fortunately, we were “saved” by a significant and unexpected tax payment owing from a major media company. Improvements to transport infrastructure were funded, housing affordability assisted by more land releases and more infrastructure, and municipal services received additional funding. Healthcare received substantial funding and education, arts and heritage and even street trees, were beneficiaries.

Of direct interest to business was funding for tourism including the blockbuster cooperative fund to add to the great success of the National Gallery’s Paris exhibition, promotion of the Centenary of Canberra , funding for the Canberra Convention Bureau, the National Multicultural Festival, an upgrade of Commonwealth Park to support Floriade, funding to identify new markets for inbound flights and international flights to Canberra, and the 2015 Asian Cup and Stromlo Forest Park. Most importantly was $10m over 4 years to help boost business innovation and skills, to attract skilled employees from interstate and overseas and to attract international students to study in Canberra.

The Federal Budget saw announcements of a 16,000 increase in skilled migrants for the regions, $3b in training enhancements including 130,000 new training places, a focus on apprenticeships and a focus on getting people off welfare and into work. There is also some further encouragement for seniors to work a little longer if they wish. With our unemployment rate so low and our skills needs in so much demand,

we have a very good climate to focus on these issues.

There are some tax changes that will impact on business. Changes to the FBT allowance on motor vehicles will not be welcomed by small business and neither will the elimination of the entrepreneurs offset. But this will be somewhat offset by the $5,000 depreciation write off. Some changes to the capital gains tax regime will further complicate matters.

I believe that both the ACT budget and the Federal budget, work together to address some of our greatest needs at present. We are facing a significant skills shortage and a population shortage as our babyboomers head for retirement. These budget measures will certainly not solve our skills problems, but they will help.

Jon Stanhope’s announcement of his retirement as Chief Minister, after nearly 10 years in the role was a surprise to many. I was expecting he would wish to be Chief Minister for the Centenary of Canberra in 2013. However, 10 years is a very significant contribution to make to the people of Canberra. I join with many in Canberra for thanking Jon for his leadership and his great commitment and contribution to Canberra and in wishing him the best in his retirement. There are two aspects in particular of Jon’s Chief Ministership that I will remember. First is his leadership immediately following the Canberra Bush Fires. The Chamber worked very closely with business and government, through the Chief Minister’s community-based Bush Fire Recovery Task Force, in assisting our community deal with the devastation. I am proud of the role we all played during these very difficult times. Secondly is his leadership during the global financial crisis.

Jon pulled together government, business and the broader community to enable us to all work together to make the best opportunity out of the difficult times. It’s no accident that Canberra now has the strongest economy in Australia. Jon Stanhope can legitimately claim that as a major legacy.

For more information on the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry Education Training Adviser program and how to be involved in any of these initiatives, please contact Jo Powell, Education and Training Adviser on (02) 6283 5200 or jo.powell@actchamber.com.au.

DR CHRISTOPHER PETERS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Corporate Sponsors ACTEWAGL, 104.7 / Mix 106.3, Prime TV, The Canberra Times, The Good Guys Tuggeranong, Duesburys Nexia, Synapse Worldwide, B2B in Canberra.

Associates and Affiliates Retail Traders Association, Australian Industry Defence Network Foundation Member Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

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B2B @ CBC ACT BUDGET BREAKFAST NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

1. John Miller, Jerry Howard and Sam DeLorenzo 2. Stuart Adam, Tim Overall and Elias 3. Jeff House, Carol Scott, Dita Hunt, David George and Andrew Dib 4.

Bob Dowling, Greg Kempton and Lindsay Le Compte 5. Kate Holland, Chris Faulks and Michelle Melbourne 6. David Scott, Paul Hincksman, Barry Spinner, Barry Dawson and Brett McIntyre 7. Peter Norton, Andrew Sikorski, Andy Gregory and John Miller 8. Avi Reber, Ivan Slavich, David Parks and Michael McGoogan 9.

Simon Butt, Trewhella and Rob Purdon 10. Valdis Luks, Hamish McNulty, Ian Thomson and Paul Leyton

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CBC ACT Budget Breakfast

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B2B @ CBC FEDERAL BUDGET BREAKFAST PARLIAMENT HOUSE

1. Amanda Bond Karl Pallenden, Rebecca Murphy, Stephen Hundy and Robert Johnson 2. Sarah Palic, Rose Stellino, Todd Wills and Leeanne Turner 3. Stuart Jones, Ian MurrayJones and Michael Lisser 4. Philip Herzog, Eugene Kalenjuke, Ian Thomspn, Michael Heath, Daryl Read and Shane Bellchambers 5. Denton Bocking, Stuart Beard, Bob Beecher, Michael Holmes, Mark Schenk and Sue Bayly-Jones 6. Nick Lourandos, Jim Sarris, Stuart Hancock and Gurj Bhatti 7. Nunz Losanno, Jingjing Guo, Andrew Fernance and Lan Zhao 8. Stephanie Lynch, Henry Kazar, Kellie Johnston, Greg Brackenreg and Tony Lang 9. Catherine Hellier, Kate Gardner, Peter Murray and Janet Kininmonth 10. Justine Hrrper, Kimberly Baillie, Mark Flint and Berrice Ellis

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Photography Below: Andrew Sikorski

CBC Federal Budget Breakfast

B2B @ RSM BUSINESS SEMINAR 6 ROYAL CANBERRA GOLD CLUB

1. Brian Gunner, Emma Molloyllian Williams and Michael O’Hehir 2. Brendan Pigott, Thiru Kandiah and Basie Banka 3. Michael O’Hehir, principal RSM Bird Cameron 4. Ron, Trent and Brad Pedley and Latief Mazema 5. Lindsay Walker, financial planner RSM Bird Cameron 6. Robert Williams, Tony Lopilato and Michael Berry 7. Ken Johnston, Judy and Peter Smith 8. Joe Boschert ,Jaohn Haily, Garry Lee and Lindsay Walker

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B2B @ ACT BUDGET BRIEFING NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

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Andrew Cappie-Wood, Harriet Elvin and Chris Barry 6. Sue Carter, Scott Harris and Amy Liu 7. Jo Powell, Sarah Kendtwell, Jo Madsen and Sam Andrewartha

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