SME Highlights

New Commonwealth Ombudsman alert to insurance issues

We have flagged with Bruce Billson, the new Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman our concerns about the insurance market. The Ombudsman confirmed that insurance is on his agenda and he is talking with the Commonwealth government raising the issue. This will only assist Consult Australia’s efforts to present de-risking strategies to government. We will continue our positive engagement with the Ombudsman and the Small Business Commission’s across the country to raise small business member concerns.

Refreshed Code of Ethics

In response to the suggestion put by several small business members, the Board has spent time refreshing and refining the Consult Australia Code of Ethics. The refreshed Code sets out the expectations we have of Consult Australia members when working with other members but also clients and the community. In coming weeks, we will consult with members on the refreshed Code of Ethics. Look out for an email to primary contacts which will provide a copy of the Code and also an invite to a member forum to discuss the Code. Board representatives will be involved in the forum to answer questions and to consolidate the feedback. The Code of Ethics will be put to the AGM in October 2021 for approval.

Insurance Insights

We hope small business members enjoyed our first Insurance Insights event on 25 May 2021. This free online national event saw our Policy Lead (Procurement & Practice) talk with a panel of member representatives about insurance renewal and exposure. Thanks again to members, Peter Kavanaugh, Jane Bailey from Pitt & Sherry, Jonathan Allan from Umwelt and David Stephens from Hydrology and Risk Consulting. Look out for more events in this series as we demonstrate all that we do for members on insurance.

Challenging WALGA Preferred Supplier

On request from members working in WA, we have been engaging with the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) on the refresh of its ‘Preferred Supplier’ panel. We are aware that our small business members in particular work with local governments and it is vital that consultants can access relevant projects and are appointed under fair contract conditions. Consult Australia shared with WALGA our feedback on both the panel agreement between suppliers and WALGA and the standard contract terms for member councils to use with consultants. Unfortunately, WALGA has yet to fully acknowledge the business and insurance implications we raised. However, we note that there is considerable pipleline of work available in the market and many councils prefer to utilise AS4121-2010 rather than a bespoke contract (which Consult Australia supports). We continue to work with WALGA.

Positive engagement with NSW Small Business Commissioner

The NSW Small Business Commissioner asked through a public consultation what barriers are there stopping small business delivering services to NSW government. You will be unsurprised to hear that we highlighted as the top barriers, the lack of standardised contracts, and unreasonable insurance requirements. The Commissioner received our submission positively and has requested a follow-up meeting to discuss these issues in more detail.

‘NewAccess’ – mental health support for small business

Beyond Blue and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman have established NewAccess for Small Business Owners – a mental health initiative that provides confidential and free low intensity early intervention mental health support.

The initiative is tailored to meet the needs of small business owners. For example, the mental health coaches have experience of operating a small business. The coaching is offered either online or via telephone without the need for a referral or mental health care plan. The support is practical, introducing pragmatic tools and techniques that can be implemented in day-to-day living. To enquire about NewAccess for Small Business Owners contact 1300 945 301 or visit Beyond Blue’s website.

Federal budget measures for small business

The Federal Budget included measures directly relevant to small business including $2.6 million to support and strengthen business participation in Commonwealth procurement including identifying common ‘pain points’, targeted events on how to access supply chains as well as a pilot of direct engagement of SMEs by the Department of Industry. The temporary loss carry-back has also been extended.

Be engaged, get value!

To best way to get value from your membership is to engage with Consult Australia, be it through events and education, by responding to calls for input or just contacting your state/territory Consult Australia Manager to raise the issues of most concern to your business.

Over the past few months our team has had great conversations with some of small business members, including:

Oculus Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Florian Fire Consulting Powerlyt Edgeloe Engineering GG Consultants ACE HDR