COLUMNIST ARTICLES

Work-Related Expenses On Ato Radar Amid Spike In People Working From Home

ACCOUNTANT

By Warren Strybosch

It is tax time again and accounting firms are busy sending out tax checklists or making contact with their clients to start the process of completing last year’s financial returns.

This year, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has announced that they will be taking particular note of work-related expenses, especially those associated with working from home. Last financial year over 8.5 million people claimed nearly $19.4 billion in work-related expenses and it is expected this to be significantly larger for 2021.

Australian Taxation Office assistant commissioner Tim Loh says the COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s work habits, so he expects their work-related expenses will reflect this. “We know many people started working from home during COVID-19, so a jump in these claims is expected,” Loh said. “But, if you are working at home, we would not expect to see claims for travelling between worksites, laundering uniforms or business trips.”

Many people do not realise but the ATO has sophisticated software that can compare everyone’s expenses against other people working in the same industry. If one person has an expense that falls outside of the ATO’s deemed parameters as to what is considered reasonable to claim, then expect a ‘please explain’ from the ATO.

As an accountant, I remember receiving one of these phones calls a few years back because one of our clients was lecturing and it was his second income. As such, the client did not nominate the tax-free threshold and elected to pay more tax from his income. The ATO rang to discuss why this particular client had more tax withheld compared to his counterparts at the same university. After a brief explanation and having to send in documents to verify the tax withheld was legitimate, the ATO processed the return. You see, everyone else within the organisation had elected the tax-free threshold and so this particular client’s income and tax withheld figures did not match everyone else and set off a flag to the ATO to investigate.

Many accountants are now asking for proof e.g., invoices or receipts, when it comes to certain expenses. Other accountants are asking clients to sign an expense declaration if receipts cannot be produced. At the end of the day, you are responsible for any claims you make to try and reduce the amount of tax payable.

“We will also look closely at anyone with significant working from home expenses, that maintains or increases their claims for things like car, travel or clothing expenses. Don’t consider just cutting and pasting what you claimed last year into this year’s return,” Loh said.

Work-related expenses

To claim a deduction for a work-related expense:

• you must have spent the money yourself and weren't reimbursed • the expenses must directly relate to earning your income • you must have a record to prove it (usually a receipt).

If the expense was for both work and private purposes, you only claim a deduction for the work-related part. Work expenses your employer reimburses you for are not deductible. If the ATO thinks your employer has reimbursed you for your expenses, they might decide to ask them.

You may be able to claim a deduction for expenses you incur that relate to your work, including:

• Vehicle and travel expenses • Clothing, laundry and dry-cleaning expenses • Working from home expenses • Self-education expenses • Tools, equipment and other assets • Other work-related deductions

Employees (including casuals) can claim work-related expenses in the income year you incur them. This means if you start employment in June you can claim deductions for work-related expenses you incur in June. Even if you don’t receive your employment income until the next income year.

If you employ someone to assist you in your employment, generally you can't claim a deduction for employing that person.

(Source: ato.gov.au)

At Find Accountant, we provide SMSF tax advice. Our senior accountant is also an award-winning financial advisor. If you require SMSF advice or are considering whether or not to wind up your SMSF, then speak to Warren Strybosch at Find Accountant Pty Ltd.

Warren Strybosch

You can call them on 1300 88 38 30 or email info@findaccountant.com.au www.findaccountant.com.au

How A System Health Check Can Help The Quality Of Your Books

BOOKKEEPER

By Neha Nayyar

Are you confident that your accounting systems are running optimally and efficiently for your business? By conducting a regular accounting file health check you can rest assured your accounting file remains accurate and clean. This improves the overall quality of your books enabling you to make more informed business decisions.

How does a system health check work and why it’s important:

Checks for errors and inconsistencies

- In certain instances business owners may find themselves with a high turnover of bookkeepers or find they’re trying to cut costs by taking on some of the bookkeeping responsibilities themselves, but let’s face it… not everybody is a bookkeeping expert! These are certain scenarios that can lead to errors in your accounting systems. During a health check your accountant may check for duplication, recording of valid ABN’s, bank reconciliation, chart of accounts, etc. It’s important to have an accountant periodically review your system to check for any inconsistencies which may prove to be a nightmare come tax time!

Review & Recommendations - Once your accountant has completed a thorough review of your accounting system, they will then be able to provide you with information on the current status of your file and offer suggestions. Discovering any pain points early on is imperative to keeping your accounting file reliable and usable and sets you on the right path to avoiding errors in the future. Plan for the future - It’s important to ensure your file is showing up to date and accurate data to enable you to make informed business decisions. Perhaps you have set a quarterly budget of $500 for office supplies but due to incorrect allocation it looks like you have more room for spending when in reality you’ve gone over budget. Once you’re confident your accounting file is producing valuable information and running as it should, you’ll be able to use this information as a guide for your monthly/quarterly/annual budgeting and have a clear picture of your outgoings vs. incomings. Are you confident that your Xero accounting file is setup correctly and running smoothly and optimally for your business? Why not conduct a system health check! At Sum and Substance we understand the importance and need for reliable accounting data to allow business owners to make informed business decisions. Please contact us if you would like more information about our Xero Health Checks. We can be reached at (03) 9424 9447 or info@ sumsubstance.com.au. You can directly book in a time to chat by clicking here.

Neha Nayyar

Bookkeeper Sum and Subtance Bookkeeping and Training Services 0401 409 573

Business Interruption Insurance and Covid-19 - Update

SOLICITOR

By David Heasley

As I wrote in March, many Business Owners have had their business interruption insurance claims rejected or have been told by their brokers and insurers that their policies do not cover pandemic related losses, when in fact many policies possibly should.

Many businesses hold these policies, which typically included coverage for loss of revenue or profits as a result of outbreaks of disease, or orders by authorities that have restricted access to their business premises, such as occurred during 2020.

At that time many Businesses Owners had tried to claim on these policies on the basis that this cover extended to loss of revenue or profits suffered as a result of COVID-19. However, a number of these business interruption policies state that they exclude insurance coverage where the disease in question was defined as a “quarantinable disease” under the Quarantine Act 1908 (Cth). The issue is that this piece of legislation was repealed some years ago and was replaced by the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth), meaning the Quarantine Act 1908 no longer applies, however many insurers and brokers have previously advised businesses that they cannot claim on their business interruption insurance due to these exclusion clauses.

In a judgment delivered in November 2020 the Court of Appeal in New South Wales, found that COVID-19 is not a disease declared to be a “quarantinable disease” under the Quarantine Act 1908, and therefore the exclusion clauses, which insurance companies relied on to deny coverage to businesses, are ineffective.

In an effort to stave off a massive amount of claims, the Insurance Council of Australia (‘ICA’) appealed the NSW Court of Appeal decision on the Quarantine Act ruling to the High Court. In a judgement just handed down, the High Court found against the ICA and upheld the judgement of the New South Wales Court of Appeal.

The fact that the 1908 Quarantine act exclusion has been disallowed, still does not necessarily provide a clear trigger for a claim. Whilst it does remove a reason for exclusion, other conditions required for a payout may not still be met. For example, most business interruption policies are not aimed at compensating the client for losses sustained due to states of emergency being imposed. other contractual areas that the industry believes could preclude it from paying out pandemic claims.

Notwithstanding the understandable reticence of the insurance companies, businesses may be one step closer to possible payouts. There are now several ‘class actions’ that have started being run by large legal firms, and it is possible for businesses to sign up to these. Normally (not always) class actions operate on no win no fee, and the payouts may be slightly smaller, but it may be a good avenue for Business Owners to explore. It’s impossible to predict exactly what will happen, but a lot of class actions are settled before judgement.

As always I’m happy to assist with this or any other matter. (This is not legal advice).

David Heasley

Principal Solicitor HEASLEY LAWYERS www.heasleylawyers.com.au 0408 611 834

Are Your The Rescuer Or Are You The Hero?

PARENTING

By Lesley-Anne Banton

Have you ever wondered why you give to others with all your heart and yet you still experience hurt, upset and pain?

You may be a rescuer not a hero!

Does it matter if you are a rescuer not a hero? Do you know the difference?

One of these disempowers you and those around you and the other empowers you and in-turn empowers others around you.

When you were you younger you made a very unconscious decision about who you were and who you needed to be to navigate through your childhood, to fit in to the family structure or to feel safe. You then, without knowing, carry this through your life and into to your adult years. Creating patterns, friendships and relationships based on who you decided to be as a child. This can cause painful experiences. When you are constantly rescuing others, you unconsciously teach others how to treat you, you may or may not respect your own boundaries which in-turn teaches others about your how you value your boundaries, and they treat you accordingly.

One of those decisions might have been to rescue people, now do not get me wrong there can be some joy and fulfilment in helping rescue those around you and these can be great attributes and values to have such as compassion, empathy, and kindness. Yet it is how we rescue those around and why? What is the intention behind the action? Is it for your own self-satisfaction? Is it because if you do not you fear you might get judged or rejected? Is it because you love the drama of a good crisis? Is it because you need to feel needed by others? Is it because they genuinely need you to rescue them as they truly do not have the resources in that moment? Or could it be something else?

When you rescue others, you generally drop everything, violate your boundaries, say no to yourself so you can rescue and please others (despite your own needs, feelings, and boundaries), devalue yourself and your time, you teach others how to value you

and treat you, by saying yes to others you are saying no to you.

Also, by rescuing someone they might subconsciously perceive you are telling them that you do not believe that they can do it for themselves, they cannot do it as good as you, you can also be enabling them to stay stuck in being a victim and continuously needing and searching for other to help rescue them. Sometimes by rescuing others you may be disempowering them and or enabling them to stay in a victim state. And on some level by being the one to rescue others you also need to be rescued.

Now if one of these people you are rescuing on a continuous basis is your child, what are you teaching them? Showing them? What beliefs could they make about themselves?

As stated earlier there are some great attributes and values you can take on as a rescuer which you could use, if you chose to, to become your own hero and show others how to be their own hero.

Being compassionate, patient and kind with and to yourself whilst you are learning the skills or beliefs you are choosing to now take on to empower yourself and become your own hero.

Being the Hero, you get to lead your own path, choose to take full responsibility for your life and decisions and be able to handle to outcomes and or consequences regardless of what they are. As a Hero you get to choose to respond to an event rather than react, you get to seek out the results you are wanting and handle and feedback or setbacks as an opportunity to learn and grow. Has a hero you get build reliance, grit, and determination. As a hero you get to show others what healthy boundaries are and how you respect them. As a Hero you get to show others how to have a voice and use it for the greater good. As a Hero you get to lead the way for others. As a Hero you show others how to rescue themselves and empower themselves. As a Hero you get to stand alongside someone through their crisis cheering them on and validating them every step of the way as they navigate through it.

As a parent, anyone who works with children or is a guardian of a child be mindful of who you are choosing to be when being around them or interacting with them. Do you choose to empower them or disempower them? Do you choose to teach and show them the skills they need to learn, or do you choose to do it for them? Are you giving them vital life skills and attributes that are needed to navigate through life or are you denying them? How are you teaching them to treat you? Others? What are you teaching them to believe about themselves?

The choice is always yours, who do you chose to be? Who would you like your child to be?

Lesley-Anne Banton

Life Coach THE PARENT WHISPERER 0432 848 418

Sole Traders

Management

Liability

GENERAL INSURANCE

By Craig Anderson

Often you hear sayings like “You don’t know what you don’t know” and whilst this is true, the part that is not spelled out, is that you do not know the extent of the consequences of acting without all of the facts at hand. If you are a Sole Trader, and consequently you have no incorporated entity through which you operate your business, then it is fair to say you are not a director. Taking out a policy that protects only the directors and officers of an incorporated body from liability for employment practices breaches, when this does not describe you, may lead to a failed claim and significant personal losses.

Remember that once you enter into a legal contract with the insurer that it is your duty to ensure all of the information provided to them is accurate, so if you are a Sole Trader with an ABN, the insured entity is you, not your “Trading As” name. Your broker will ensure this is all correct before submission, however if you are obtaining insurance directly on-line, the computer algorithm creating your quote will not know the difference. I have seen a fair few policies made out in the wrong name, and I can assure you the insurer is not obliged to pay when the entity name is missing. Now you know there may be a problem, the next step is looking at what policy will provide a trigger for a claim if you are a sole trader. Luckily, such a product exists, and it protects the sole trader from personal financial losses rather than offering reimbursement clauses to a company entity. Claims may range from unfair dismissal, harassment, discrimination and other wrongful employment related acts, to Employee Theft, Tax Audits and Investigations, Workplace Health and Safety Incidents, Pollution Costs, and Advancement of Costs and Emergency Defence Costs.

This cover is suited to Sole Traders who fall (loosely) into the following categories: Bookkeepers, Individual Consultants, Tradespeople, IT Consultants, Freelance Writers, Landscapers and Gardeners, Direct Retailers, and Allied Health Consultants.

If your trade is not listed above, feel free to contact us and we can find out from the Insurer if your individual occupation can be accommodated.

Even before you take out cover, to ensure you avoid employment related claims, it is necessary to create the correct policies and procedures and implement them properly. Hiring an HR consultant to help write and roll-out the policies may help put you in a better position to eliminate the circumstances that may generate a claim in the first place. However if a claim occurs, it is then up to the insurer to take it from there.

When you “Don’t know what you don’t know” then ask the people who do, like your Insurance Broker.

As always, any advice in this article has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, before acting on the above advice, you should consider its appropriateness (having regard to your objectives, needs and financial situation).

Craig Anderson

General Insurance Small Business Insurance Brokers

www. heightsafetyinsurancebrokers.com.au 0418 300 096

Passivhaus – Eco-friendly Homes

ARCHITECT

By Kathy Ismail

What is Passivhaus?

The technical definition of a Passivhaus (also know as Passive House) is any building that can achieve thermal comfort by heating or cooling only the fresh air required to maintain a healthy indoor air quality. This is modelled in detail before construction begins using the PHPP (Passivhaus Planning Package) software that has been developed since the late 1980s. Certified Passivhaus is a voluntary standard.

Excellent quality control is required during construction, overcoming the generally inadequate inspection and as-built certification of thermal performance that currently prevails in the Australian building industry. This is the most expensive part of the process, but the heat and energy savings achieved far outweigh the structural costs.

The standard covers a wide range of building types, including new builds and renovations, high-rise apartments, schools, offices, hotels, swimming pools and a police station.

The 5 Passivhaus principles

Passivhaus is founded on five principles, with performance levels that set upper limits on energy use and air leakage. Heating demand is limited to 15kWh/ m2/year. Humidity must stay below 12g/ kg of air (around 65% relative humidity at 25 degrees Celsius) for at least 80 % of the year, and temperatures of more than 25 degrees are capped to 10% of the year, if no mechanical cooling is used. Mechanical cooling must still operate within the same allowable energy limits as heating.

The 5 Passivhaus principles are: 3. Mechanical heat recovery ventilation (MHRV) 4. Windows that seal and insulate 5. No thermal bridges

Advice from a Passivhaus architect

Talina Edwards is an architect, certified Passivhaus designer, director of her small architectural practice, and a board director of the Australian Passive House Association. She’s a passionate advocate for Passivhaus and wants to share this with you:

‘Our practice is focusing almost exclusively on Passivhaus projects now, after completing one of Australia's first Certified Passivhaus homes in 2018.

‘We've found that all our clients are coming to us because they've heard all about the benefits of building this way – healthy indoor environment, consistent comfortable temperatures, very low heating/cooling requirements (and therefore less expensive!) and the resilience this rigorous standard assures them for a future of more weather extremes.

‘We've not had anyone say, ‘Why would I want that?’ Of course, everyone wants this! It is what we should expect from all our buildings, not just our homes. We deserve to live and work in buildings that are not only climate-responsive but also responsible.

‘The only times clients choose not to build a fully Certified Passivhaus is due to the cost. However, if you budget for a custom home, you can prioritise your brief to ensure that you don't compromise on getting the building envelope right (also often known as a 'fabric-first' approach). All the other stuff (materials, joinery, fixtures, fittings, etc.) can be lower-spec and upgraded later much more easily and cost effectively than trying to retrofit an air-tight barrier, more insulation, a ventilation system or triple-glazed windows later.

‘Proposed revisions to the National Construction Code over the next few years are moving closer towards more stringent requirements for insulation and air-tightness so it makes sense to get ahead of the curve. A home is one of the largest investments most people will ever make, and as a code-compliant building is technically the worst standard you can legally build today, wouldn't you prefer to be future-proofing your home by ensuring it's fit for purpose in fifty years’ time and beyond? We shouldn't be treating our homes like fast food and fast fashion; they should be good quality and built to last.

‘More and more trades are up-skilling as they want to build quality and take pride in their work, and more materials and components are becoming available in the Australian market, so the cost premium will be reduced in the future as the demand sure is growing.’

So, if you are building a new house, and spiralling energy costs are of concern to you, this is where Certified Passivhaus really shines. Speak to an architect who can help you from the ground up with the design of your new, energy-saving home.

Contact KiR Architecture at contact@ kirarchitecture.com.au for help with planning your building projects. We are always happy to answer any inquiries.

Kathy Ismail

ARCHITECT KiR Architecture www.kirarchitecture.com 0422 026 962

That Extraordinary Stuff Called Human Milk

LACTATION CONSULTANT

By Dr. Joanna Strybosh

After the birth of her newborn baby, a mother’s body will begin the process of making milk. This is a process beyond her control, and occurs irrespective of whether she chooses to breastfeed her baby or not. Her milk is the perfect food source for her baby, supplying everything her baby needs for optimal nutrition and growth and protection.

Human milk has two main functions: it nourishes and it protects. Hundreds of human milk components interact synergistically to fulfil these dual functions of breastmilk.

Nutritional components of human milk include water, lipids (fats), proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and micro minerals. Defence components include immune protective components (antibacterial, antiviral, anti microbial), anti-inflammatory vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and live immune cells.

Human milk composition is not static or uniform. Breastmilk is, in fact, a living dynamic fluid. It is always changing in order to best meet the changing needs of the infant. What we see is a complex interplay between the needs of the infant and the ability of the mother‘s body to rapidly adapt and to provide milk components to meet those needs. Human milk changes in order to provide optimal nutrition and immune protection in real time.

Some of the ways human milk changes to meet baby’s changing needs:

• Colostrum is available from before birth to day 5 and then evolves through transitional milk (day 6-13) to become mature milk from day 14 onwards. • Breastmilk composition changes significantly in the first few days of lactation. • Protein levels in human milk change over time, with protein concentration being higher in preterm milk and colostrum and levelling off in mature milk. Over 761 distinct proteins have been identified in human milk. • Milk composition changes during each feeding as the breast drains and the fat content rises. Many classes of lipids (fats) and thousands of subclasses have been identified. • Milk composition changes during each day and over the course of the entire lactation. • Milk of preterm mothers differs from that of mothers who deliver at term. • More than 200 components have been identified in human milk with some still having unknown roles. • Hundreds of thousands of immune cells are ingested in breastmilk by the infant every day. • Immune cells in human milk increase in response to an infection in the baby. • Human milk contains stem cells that can migrate to different organs to provide active immunity and boost infant development in early life. • Human milk contains growth factors, hormones and live immune cells. • Human milk carries a rich variety of bioactive substances which help the brain to grow and the immune system to develop. • Human milk is 87.5% water. All nutritional components are dissolved or dispersed in it. Human milk provides 100% of a baby’s water needs, even in hot arid or humid climates.

Human milk is and should always be the first choice for human babies.

Dr. Joanna Strybosch

Osteopath B.App.Sc(Clin.Sc)/B.Osteo.Sc/Grad Dip Paeds Lactation Consultant CHILDREN’S OSTEOPATHIC CENTRE 9876 3011 www.childrensostheopathiccentre.com

As the owner of a small business, do you understand your obligations in regards to the health and safety of your team?

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

By Mark Felton

If you are unsure, you are not alone. Anecdotally at least, it appears that the great majority of small business owners, particularly those new to running their own business, have little understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, and the duties and obligations that they are legally bound to comply with.

To quote the Act, “An employer must, so far as is reasonably practicable, provide and maintain for employees of the employer a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.” Fines and penalties are significant if there are any breaches found, 1800 penalty units ($297,396.00) for a natural person, and 9000 penalty units ($1,486,980.00) for a body corporate. (a) monitor the health of employees of the employer; and

(b) monitor conditions at any workplace under the employer's management and control; and

(c) provide information to employees of the employer (in such other languages as appropriate) concerning health and safety at the workplace, including the names of persons to whom an employee may make an enquiry or complaint about health and safety.”

The new industrial manslaughter laws have been added to the Act, and will apply to organisations (including bodies corporate, partnerships, unincorporated bodies and unincorporated associations), self-employed persons as well as officers. The new laws will attract the highest penalty in the OHS Act, introducing maximum fines of approx. $16.5m for employers and jail terms of up to 20 years and fines of up to $1.65m for officers whose actions or omissions: • cause the death of a worker or member of the public; • involve a breach of an OHS duty; • were negligent.

So what does this mean for you and your business? What steps do you need to take to ensure that you are in step with your obligations under the Act? How do you keep you and your employees healthy and safe? This is where I, Mark Felton at Beaumont Advisory, can provide guidance and support, and provide peace of mind. I can be contacted on 0411 951 372 or mfelton@ beaumontlawyers.com.au , and offer a cost and obligation free initial meeting to review your current position.

Occupational Health & Safety BEAUMONT LAWYERS www.thebeaumontgroup.com.au

Aussies Snapping Up Electric Vehicles

By Tim Dorbin (Australian Associated Press)

Australians are embracing electric vehicles like never before with a big jump in the number registered across the country, latest figures have revealed.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says the number of electric vehicles registered in Australia rose by more than 62 per cent to 23,128 in the 12 months to the end of January this year.

At the same time, the total vehicle fleet rose by just 1.7 per cent to 20.1 million.

The fleet rose in all states and territories with Queensland, South Australia and the ACT posting the biggest increases at 2.3 per cent.

NSW continues to have the most vehicles on the road with 5,892,206 followed by Victoria on 5,157,172 and Queensland on 4,303.713.

Together the three eastern states account for 76 per cent of all vehicles. Despite the uptake in new electric cars, the average age of the Aussie fleet rose from 10.4 years to 10.6 years. ABS Director of Transport Statistics Rob Walter said the increase in the number of vehicles on Australia’s road had pushedthe vehicle fleet above 20 million for the first time.

He said registrations of electric vehicles had surged for the second year in a row.

It came despite some states moving towards an electric car tax or charge to replace any lost fuel excise, but also amid a rapid expansion of charging infrastructure across the country.

The overall rise of the vehicle fleet also defied the sharp downturn in new vehicles sales early last year when the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The new car market recovered strongly in the second half of 2020 while sales of used cars also rose as more people opted to update their vehicles after travel restrictions ruled out the prospect of overseas holidays.

Diesel registrations increased, rising to 26.4 per cent of all vehicles, however petrol registrations still account for a majority of the fleet at 71.7 per cent.

Electric vehicles account for less than two per cent.

Among the car brands, Toyota has the most vehicles on the road with 2,978,505, ahead of Holden on 1,575,483 and Mazda on 1,310,979.

7 Powerful Conversation Starters With Your Elders

ACCREDITED EDITOR

By Susan Pierotti

Many people want to be involved in the lives of their elderly loved ones and one of the best ways is to listen to their stories. These may become repetitive, but perhaps this is the way our elders are letting us know what was important for them. Yet they have much more to tell us, but how do you begin to unravel their lives?

Getting your loved one's stories out into the world can mean finding ways to bring out their long-lost memories, or thoughts that may not have crossed their minds for decades. These can include previously essential family memories and little-known stories.

The key thing is to engage people, to get them talking about what matters to them. Questions are powerful. Sometimes, asking a single question means the person will speak for half an hour, and you don’t have to say a word more. These sorts of questions will likely reveal facts and stories that you have never heard before. You might be surprised by what you learn.

Here are seven simple opening questions that you can use to start the conversation with an elderly person.

Where were you born?

Although you probably know where they were born, asking the question can uncover some interesting memories about the time and place of their birth. Some of our elders were born in bush hospitals, on farms or overseas.

What can you remember about your parents?

It’s surprising how much elderly people know about their parents and their stories, and about other relatives. In their day, people sat around and listened to gossip, family adventures, who had given birth to the latest cousin and so on. They may even want to bring out photos to show you, almost to introduce you, as these people still live in their hearts and minds.

Where did you go to school?

We know how different schools are now from those in the past; the younger generations can’t even envision a time when there were no computers to learn on! This question can also evoke memories of how they travelled to school, what their teachers were like, and their favourite subjects.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Career options were limited in bygone days. Perhaps they achieved working in a job they always wanted, perhaps they developed turned their ambition into a hobby, perhaps what they wanted to be would only ever be a dream. How did they deal with their disappointment?

What was your favourite holiday? You never forget your holidays, so asking about holidays will be sure to bring out some wonderful details that have stuck with them for decades.

What was your childhood like?

You'd be surprised what even simple questions about their childhoods, such as what they would typically wear around the house or to school and what they ate, can reveal. For example, chicken used to be a special food you only had at Christmas! the proposal, the dress, the bridesmaids, the flowers…They love talking about their wedding day – and watch their eyes sparkle as they recall it! Even men remember things like the weather, the church, the suit they had to wear (and how unnatural it felt!) and, of course, how beautiful their bride was.

Can you remember the day you got married?

Be sensitive with this question – not everyone had a planned marriage. However, most women will remember What’s really important is that you listen to them and remain attentive. People can tell when someone is listening and when someone’s mind is somewhere else. Make sure you really focus; perhaps take notes as they speak.

Don’t feel limited to these suggestions. If the question is open-ended and focused on something they care about, it is a good way to start a conversation.

Simple questions spark amazing memories, and amazing memories make for amazing stories. Everyone has a story to tell – all you have to do is help them find it.

Creative Text Solutions has written and published numerous family memories over many years. Contact us for recording your elderly loved one’s story.

Susan Pierotti

Accredited Editor Creative Text Solutions 0437 127 159 www.creativetext.com.au

The 5 C’s of Lending

The Secret to Getting Your Mortgage Application Approved

MORTGAGE BROKERING

By Reece Droscher

There are many aspects to a Home Loan Application that financial institutions consider when assessing whether to approve or decline the application. Primarily the success or failure of an application will come down to the applicant’s ability to overcome the 5 C’s of credit: Character, Collateral, Capacity, Capital and Conditions. So what are these C’s and how do they impact on your ability to get a Home Loan.

CHARACTER

The first C of Character is based on your willingness to repay your mortgage. Lenders will refer to your credit history when determining whether you have a proven track record of repaying any previous credit facilities on time, or have operated a continuous credit line such as a credit card within the terms of the facility. Any issues identified on your credit history, such as payment defaults or bankruptcy, may immediately see your application fail this test and therefore it is declined.

Other aspects of the Character test that are considered are:

• The applicant’s employment stability. • Does the applicant change address regularly? • Are bill payments made on time?

If your credit history is not great it does not mean you are unable to get a Home Loan. You may need to consider looking at non-conforming Home Loans, which are available for applicants who may not overcome the Character test when applied to credit.

CAPITAL

Capital is the second C and represents the applicant’s net worth, the value of your assets minus the liabilities. Effectively the lender will look at personal assets like cars, savings in your bank accounts, investments such as shares and any property that you own, and deduct things like credit cards, personal loans and any other loans or credit facilities you have at the time of submitting the application. The value left is your net worth. assets. It works in conjunction with the first C, Character, as the willingness to repay debt should assist improve an applicant’s net worth.

An applicant’s life stage will also influence whether an applicant passes the Capital test. A young applicant would not be expected to have accumulated as many assets when compared to a middle-aged applicant. Where an older applicant does not have a significant net worth it may indicate that they spend too much and haven’t allocated any money into savings or buying other assets. Most lenders will decline an application where the applicant’s net worth is below what is expected of someone of their age.

CAPACITY

Lenders use the third C of credit, Capacity, to determine an applicant’s ability to repay the proposed debt. They measure this by calculating all forms of income an applicant receives (salary, rental from investment properties, share dividends, some Government pensions) and compares this to the loan repayments or commitments an applicant currently has, including any living expenses, credit card limits, personal loans or other loans. Should there be enough income left over after deducting these repayments to meet the proposed repayment on the Home Loan requested, then Capacity has been met. Please note that Banks will use a default interest rate, usually a margin of 2.5% above the advertised interest rate, when completing Capacity calculations as they like to see that the applicant will be able to meet the repayments should interest rates go up.

COLLATERAL

Collateral refers to the property that is used to secure the loan. For a Home Loan this is the property that you will be purchasing or, for a refinance, a property you already own. Typically, the value of the security should be greater than the size of the home loan requested.

The fourth C is very critical to the success of your loan application as the lender must hold adequate security to ensure their risk of lending to you is mitigated. If you’re unable to make your mortgage payments as agreed, the bank has the right to seize your property to repay the debt after all other avenues have been explored. There needs to be sufficient value in the Collateral offered to clear the debt in full should this situation occur. There are other options available should you be unable to meet the Collateral requirements, such as guarantor loans, that you may be able to consider.

CONDITIONS

The final C is the one that can be the most challenging to meet as it is sometimes out of the applicant’s control. Conditions refers to the general market conditions that are present at the time you apply for the loan, such as the current interest rates available, perceived employment security and other events that may impact on your ability to meet the proposed loan repayments. This is particularly pertinent to the current situation we have for those people employed in the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors which have been severely affected by the pandemic.

For example, some lenders have made the decision to remove from consideration any applications for finance which come from anyone employed in these sectors, as their short and medium-term income and employment prospects are potentially bleak. These applicants are seen as too risky for lenders to consider at this time, even if the applicant is currently employed and earning an income.

The purpose of the loan is also an important part of overcoming the Conditions component of the 5 C’s of credit. Buying an investment property is seen as a riskier proposition by some lenders, who have reduced the percentage they would lend for this purpose to 80% of the security value, whereas buying a home for owneroccupation would achieve a loan up to 95% of the security value (subject to mortgage insurance approval of course). If you are able to pass all of the 5 C’s you should not have difficulty proving you are a credit-worthy prospect and would meet the criteria to have your application approved. However even if you don’t pass all of the 5 C’s there still may be options out there to assist you. Your mortgage broker is best-suited to help you navigate through the market and find the most appropriate solution that meets your needs. At SHL Finance we are ready and willing to help you achieve your Home Loan finance goals. Please call Reece Droscher on 0478 021 757 to discuss all of your Home Loan needs.

Installing A Shed Roller Door

GARAGE DOORS

By Chantal Djuric

There is much advice on the internet on how to install your own shed roller door. If you are thinking of installing one yourself, read on.

This is a summary of what we do at Cruzin. We begin by measuring the width of the roller door against where it will be installed as the roller door curtain needs to be 100 mm wider than the opening.

There has to be enough room on the side and the correct space between the wall bracket and the edge of the door curtain. After measuring accurately where the brackets will be fixed, we attach them with the appropriate equipment, depending on whether they are being fixed to brick, masonry, concrete or steel sheeting. This is not a job for the shed owner as working at heights is an OH&S issue that we take seriously.

Is the chain operator a planetary geared one, a direct drive one or an electric one? Each one has specific instructions on how to be attached. This is fiddly and fraught with the potential to make mistakes. Only a trained garage door specialist will have the requisite expertise to assemble and attach it properly.

Now we lift the roller door onto the brackets and loosely secure the axle to them. We never use the wall brackets to mount the door lifting gear as they are only designed to support the door. Remember, roller doors can weigh up to 200 kg, around twice the weight of most adult males.

The door is now centred within the opening with the same amount of curtain overlap on each side. If the operator is an electric one, we position it as required at the same time.

We remove strapping and packaging material, without cutting the centre nylon strap, and move the door to the rear of the bracket slots, turning the axle so the door is relaxed on the axle with the bottom rail at the bottom of the curtain. Without letting go of the curtain, we now cut the centre strap. Holding the centre of the bottom rail, we open and close the curtain to ensure it is correctly aligned on the roll before fitting the guide tracks. As you can see, attaching the door precisely with the correct amount of tension is a tricky process that should be done by an expert.

Then we cut the bottom off the tracks so that the top stop is level with the top of the opening. Next, we slide the tracks onto the edge of the roller door, ensuring the top stops remain above the bottom rail to prevent the door rolling further upwards. Then we lower the door to the closed position, push the track against the wall and adjust sideways so there is a 3–6 mm gap between the inside of the track and the black plastic button at the end of the bottom rail. Using a builder’s level, we make sure the tracks are vertical before screwing or welding them to the walls with appropriate fasteners.

With the door in the open position, we loosen the two-axle clamp bolts and, using the slots in the wall brackets, move the door in towards the wall until almost touching the track front face and retighten the bolts. We adjust the operators, position the shute bolts at the ends of the bottom rail, mark the mounting bolt hole positions and drill so that the square shank of the domed headed coach screw will bite into the hole and not turn. With the domed screw heads on the outside of the door, and the door in the fully closed position, we mark and cut a hole in the side face of each track for the locking bolt to slide through.

The final part of the process is to remove the outer protective film from the curtain door surface – and that’s it!

If you think this sounds complicated, you’re right! Too many things can go wrong. Aside from damaging the door, its components and your garage, you could suffer a severe injury. Our advice is – leave it to the experts!

For 24/7 garage door servicing, give Cruzin Garage Doors a call on 0427 894 603 or email us at sales@ cruzingaragedoors.com.au.

Chantal Djuric

Garage Doors Cruzin Garage Doors www.cruzingaragedoors.com.au

Why Signage is Important for Any Business

SIGNAGES

By Glenn Martin

Your business is more than its logo, products, and services. It’s an entire experience. How you promote your business will determine how consumers interact with you, however, your business signage can have as much of an impact as your website on your enterprise. From illuminated signage solutions to window graphics, the following looks at how retail signage gives your business a considerable advantage.

1. Enhances communication.

According to Dubai’s leading signage and wayfinding consultancy, signs represent a brand’s most visible form of communication. Outdoor signage and window graphics can impact how a brick-and-mortar business performs. Signs do more than inform. Customers make assumptions of a business according to the quality and attractiveness of their signs. This assumption carries over to how customers perceive the quality of a brand’s products or services. When outdoor signage is complemented with wayfinding design, brand exposure increases. This results in greater opportunities for new customer acquisition and repeat business. Similarly, poor or low-quality signage can deter customers from engaging with your business.

2. Provides a competitive advantage.

Standing out in a sea of companies is a challenge for any business. Signage can be the differentiator, however, between customers choosing your business over those of your competitors. A creative and unique storefront sign can attract customers from a distance and draw them into your store. Location plays a role in providing your business with a competitive edge as well. Your outdoor and wayfinding signage should be in a high traffic location proximate to your business. Onsite signage will provide the added benefit of enabling people to discover your brand’s physical presence.

3. It’s a cost-effective marketing tool.

Signage can be more than just an attractive differentiator or unique wayfinding solution. Signs are also an essential component of your brand’s marketing strategy. In fact, both small and enterprising businesses benefit from using signs as a marketing tool. Sure, there are other tried and true methods such as billboards and newspaper advertisements. But these promotional strategies do not have the same longevity as signs. Signage can be an exterior ongoing marketing campaign visible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

4. Increases sale opportunities.

Well-designed, quality signage can generate unplanned impulse stops. In fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration estimates that between 20 to 45 percent of business sales come from impulse sales. This is why signage should be placed in the right locations. The checkout counter, for example, can direct customers and inspire additional purchases. Illuminated and custom shaped signage solutions offer dynamic messages that can attract more in-store sales.

5. Builds brand awareness.

perceptions and attitudes. This encourages a feeling of connectedness with your community. In the end, this results in repeat purchases and a greater market share. Signage is a critical component in driving brand recognition. Coca-Cola and Starbucks are two examples of brands that use signage to its full potential. To fully capitalize on signage, you must create a narrative that illustrates your company values. This narrative should be exemplified in your company branding and signage. This allows customers to make connections with your brand long before they’ve entered your business.

All signs point to success.

Signage is a versatile business tool that can serve a myriad of purposes. Signage can serve as a visual solution to numerous business problems such as wayfinding, sales, brand recognition, and competitive advantage. Signage is a versatile business tool that can serve a myriad of purposes. Signage can serve as a visual solution to numerous business problems such as wayfinding, sales, brand recognition, and competitive advantage.

Have a signage project in mind? If you already have a design, simply send us the files and we will be in touch to start the process, including a free consultation and site audit to help your business stand out from the crowd.

If you’re unsure of exactly what you want to say, or how you’d like it to look, that’s okay too, just contact the team on 1300 633 902 and together we’ll create the perfect signs for your business and to ensure you get current promotions, follow us on Instagram @Signarama_Mitcham.

Drink Coffee To Stay Younger!

COMMERCIAL COFFEE MACHINE

By Ivana Smith

We love drinking coffee but what does it do to us as we get older? Should we stop or are we able to still enjoy our favourite hot beverage?

The information in this article may surprise you!

Stay younger, drink coffee

Caffeine is an antioxidant, which means it can help fight age-related damage due to oxidation. This can improve our health in many ways, especially as we age.

A study in Japan has shown that coffee contains several anti-aging benefits. Mice were given caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee as part of their normal food and water diet. Their lipid metabolism, energy metabolism and locomotor activity were tested. The mice showed improved insulin levels, enhanced grip strength of their skeletal muscles and decreased levels of their plasma-free fatty acids. These were just a few of the benefits that were discovered. Another Japanese study indicated that drinking three to four cups of coffee a day ‘decreased mortality by 24% for 40- to 69-year-old Japanese adults’.

Coffee is rich in bioactive substances, with a wide range of anti-inflammatory effects that can improve insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. Coffee consumption has been shown to decrease the incidence of major causes of death such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, several types of cancer and the risk of neurological and mental illnesses such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. A growing body of evidence also suggests that coffee could reduce the incidence of other chronic diseases and mortality due to its strong antioxidant properties.

Caffeine may also activate a protein that supports healthy, elastic blood cells. Caffeine has been shown to influence movement of a protein called p27 into the cells of the heart; p27 stimulated by caffeine can prevent heart cells from dying during a heart attack.

More health reason for drinking coffee

If all that wasn’t enough, here are some more amazing potential benefits of drinking coffee.

Caffeine may help prevent age-related mild cognitive impairment. It may also prevent or delay dementia. The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study, which followed people in Finland from middle age into their seventies and beyond, found that caffeine may lower a senior’s lifetime risk of dementia.

One study in the US has found that just one cup of coffee per week could slash stroke risk and heart failure. A joint AARP-NIH study found that people who regularly drank coffee had a lower overall risk of early death. Yet another study that followed nearly 1 million men and women over a period of 26 years found that drinking four cups of coffee a day could even reduce the risk of developing oral cancer. Other research has shown that coffee reduces the risk of severe depression in middle-aged men. increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure and anxiety. Coffee can also affect your digestion by speeding up digestion, causing diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems, and its high acid content may also make acid reflux worse. The dehydrating properties of coffee can stress the kidneys and make bladder infections worse. People who take ephedrine, echinacea, and theophylline may be especially vulnerable to the effects of caffeine, so talk to a doctor about potential interactions.

Nevertheless, most healthy adults can safely consume about 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. That’s roughly three to five cups a day.

The good news is that we can enjoy coffee into old age – and it’s good for us!

For advice on coffee and how to supply it to office spaces, workplaces and clubs, contact Ivana at ivana.smith@ xpressodelight.com.au.

Coffee is a mild stimulant. This means it offers a mood boost that can help you feel motivated and alert, and it’s not just students studying for exams at the last minute who’ve discovered that drinking coffee gives them better concentration and memory powers.

How much coffee is too much?

Be careful, though, about how much you drink in one day. More doesn’t mean better health or that you will live forever.

The caffeine in coffee can cause fluid retention (puffy skin), insomnia, an

Ivana Smith

Commercial Coffee Machine Xpresso Delight 0418 393 085 www.xdcoffee.com.au

Superannuation Landscape Is Changing

FINANCIAL PLANNING

By Warren Strybosch

There is so much happening with the financial planning landscape. Here are some of the important superannuation changes that you should be aware of:

Budget proposal provides great opportunity to even up super balances – a practical look

The recent Federal Budget proposal to remove the work test for non-concessional contributions and allow the use of the bring forward rules for those aged 67 to 74 (expected to commence 1 July 2022) could provide multiple benefits to our retired clients.

Change The Detail

50% reduction in minimum payments SIS regulations to extend the temporary 50% reduction in minimum pension payments for the 2021-22 year have been finalised.

Start Date

Extended to 2021-22 year

Bring forward rule for 65 and 66 year olds Clients aged under 67 on the 1 July in the financial year of contribution will have the oppurtunity to utilise the nonconcessional bring forward rules. Work test trap: Remember that, even though a client may be 66 on July 1 of the year of contribution and can therefore use the bring forward rules, if they are 67 on the day of contribution, the work test exemption) must be met. 1 July 2020

Your future your super package 1. Limit the creation of multiple super accounts for employees who do not choose a super fund when they start a new job. 2. Requirement of super funds to account for underperformance using APRA performance test. 3. Impose a 'best financial interests' duty on trustees of all super funds including SMSFs and reverses the evidential burden of proof for the best financial interests duty do that the onus in on the trustee of the super fund. 1 November 2021

MySuper products - 1 July 2021 Other Products - 1 July 2022

1 July 2021

Increase members in SMSFs The maximum number of members allowed in a SMSF will increase from 'fewer than 5 to 'no more than 6'. 1 July 2020

The following case study highlights just one scenario where a retired couple (in a position comparable to many of our clients) could benefit by making their super balances more even.

Shona and Jack

Shona is 68 and works part-time earning $50,000 per year. Her husband Jack is 71 and has been retired for several years drawing on his account-based pension to top up their income needs.

Their investment portfolio can be summarised as follows:

Shona and Jack wish to access some of their capital and are considering selling their shares however a significant capital gain will arise.

Assets

Cash Shares Superannuation Account based pension

Total Value

$50,000 $350,000 $700,000 $150,000

$1,250,000 Owner

Joint Joint Shona Jack

Strategy considerations after proposed budget changes

Current Rules Strategy after proposed budget changes

• Jack can't contribute to super as he doesn't meet the work test.

• Shona can still contribute to super working part-time however her super balance is too high to take advantage of her unused concessional cap (ie TSB > $500K) to make a large tax deductible contribution and save on capital gains tax (CGT). • Shina can withdraw $250,000 from her super and pay no tax on the withdrawal. • Jack can contribute this $250,000 into his super (and then ABP) to help even up the balances as he no longer has to meet a work test. • Shona can now access her unused concessional caps from previous years to reduce CGT. • Legislative risk - if super rules change, having more even balances may help.

If you are unsure as to how you’re tracking now or leading up to retirement, or are considering retiring in the next few years, then speak to an advisor at Find Retirement (www.findretirement.com.au). They will help you plan the next stage of your life and provide greater certainty for you and your family.

This information is current as at July 2021. This article is intended to provide general information only and has been prepared without taking into account any particular person’s objectives, financial situation or needs (‘circumstances’). Before acting on such information, you should consider its appropriateness, taking into account your circumstances and obtain your own independent financial, legal or tax advice. You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision about a product. While all care has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and reliable, to the maximum extent the law permits, Clearview and its related bodies corporate, or each of their directors, officers, employees, contractors or agents, will not assume liability to any person for any error or omission in this material however caused, nor be responsible for any loss or damage suffered, sustained or incurred by any person who either does, or omits to do, anything in reliance on the information contained herein.

Warren Strybosch

You can call them on 1300 88 38 30 or email info@findretirement.com.au www.findretirement.com.au

Skills Shortages Hit Manufacturing Sector

By Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent (Australian Associated Press)

Australia’s manufacturing sector has rebounded sharply from the depths of last year’s recession, but is already being hampered by skills shortages.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief economist Ross Lambie says employers are having increasing difficulties finding experienced workers as a result of domestic and international border closures.

“These labour constraints are at levels not seen since September 2007,” Dr Lambie says.

The Australian Chamber-Westpac survey of industrials trends released on Tuesday showed a further improvement in overall manufacturing conditions in the June quarter.

Its actual composite index rose to 63.1 points from 59.4 in the March quarter and 48.7 in the December quarter.

The recovery follows the dramatic fall in the index to 24 points in the June quarter last year that was associated with the initial lockdown and response to the pandemic.

An index firmly above 50 suggests conditions are expanding at a brisk pace, in line with the recovery in the broader economy. The survey shows output and new orders are rising at the fastest rate since late2018 and early-2019.

The expected composite index was at 60.6 points, well above its long run average, indicating businesses are optimistic about the outlook.

However, Westpac senior economist Andrew Hanlan said the survey also raised some areas or concern.

“Lingering disruptions and restrictions around COVID are hampering businesses’ ability to lift production,” Mr Hanlan said.

Profit expectations have been marked lower, despite prospects for strong turnover, as cost pressures mount.

A separate survey of consumer confidence showed the mood among Sydneysiders has deteriorated in response to the COVID-19 lockdown and having seen infections rise rapidly in a matter of days.

However, confidence nationally was fairly flat, offset by the ongoing recovery in Melbourne after its recent restrictions.

The weekly ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index – a pointer to future household spending – declined 0.2 per cent. But confidence in Sydney dropped 4.6 per cent, and was even worse in regional NSW, down 6.6 per cent. ANZ senior economist Felicity Emmett said the survey taken at the weekend would not have fully captured the impact of all the various restrictions and lockdowns imposed across states.

Western Australia introduced a four-day lockdown in Perth and the neighbouring Peel regions on Monday night, while Darwin’s snap lockdown was extended to at least Friday.

Queensland added to the roll call, announcing a three-day lockdown for the state’s southeast, Townsville and two islands.

“Recent experience suggests sentiment will respond to case numbers and lockdown measures in the coming weeks,” Ms Emmett said.

“If case numbers remain high, confidence is likely to deteriorate, but if they come back under control quickly and restrictions look likely to be shortlived, sentiment is likely to rebound.”

Recent data shows Melbourne’s 14-day lockdown hurt both retail spending and employment in Victoria.

The Sydney lockdown is estimated to cost the NSW economy $2 billion.

Living Longer Impacts On Budget, Economy

By Colin Brinsden, AAP Economics and Business Correspondent (Australian Associated Press)

Australia faces a major challenge of an ageing population, made worse by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh Frydenberg has warned.

Releasing the 2021 Intergenerational Report, the treasurer said the economy will be smaller and the population will be older than it otherwise would have been with flow-on implications for economic and fiscal outcomes.

The report shows Australia faces 40 years of budget deficits, relatively high levels of debt and slower economic growth than had been previously experienced.

“The fact that we are living longer is to be welcomed but the impacts on our economy and our budget are profound,” Mr Frydenberg said, launching the report at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) event on Monday.

The five-yearly IGR provides a guide to how the economy will look over the next 40 years and what it means for the budget.

It is the fifth in the series, which was first introduced by former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello in 2002.

Deloitte Access Economics economist Chris Richardson said the new IGR should start some overdue national conversations. “Australians don’t spend enough time thinking about the future,” Mr Richardson told AAP.

“And when we do, we focus on squabbles over slices of the pie, rather than over the size of the pie. We can and should do better than that.” CEDA chief executive Melinda Cilento agreed the report shows Australia can’t afford another lost decade of policy reform.

She said Australia must tackle the costs of climate change, the reliance on income tax, boost productivity and fund essential services like health and aged care to manage the impacts of our ageing population.

“Now is the time to take serious action to address these challenges,” Ms Cilento said.

Mr Frydenberg expects the economy to grow by an average annual rate of 2.6 per cent from 2020/21 to 2060/61, 0.4 percentage points lower than the past 40 years. Australia’s population is expected to grow to 38.8 million by 2060/61.

In the last IGR released by former Liberal treasurer Joe Hockey in 2015, the population was projected to hit almost 40 million by 2054/55.

“This is the first time there has been a downward revision of the longterm population projections in an Intergenerational Report,” Mr Frydenberg said.

As such, he said the composition of the migration program when borders reopen has to be well targeted and skills focused so it can supplement the stock of working-age people and slow the transition to an older population.

He said economic growth will continue to be highly dependent on productivity gains and a vital ingredient in lifting long term living standards and wages.

Earlier the treasurer pledged on ABC radio to fully fund the NDIS, while noting health and education spending were also at record highs.

“We want to continue to pursue reforms that encourage more investment by business, improve the provision of skills across the country and also ensure a more flexible workplace,” he said.

But Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says the government has given up on reform and doesn’t even try to pretend to deliver it.

“It’s given up on a future agenda. This is a government where productivity was going backwards for two quarters in a row before the pandemic. We had a productivity recession,” he told Sky News.

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox also pointed out that most of the challenges identified in the report pre-date COVID.

“Hopefully the need for action to maintain the COVID recovery will spur governments, businesses and the community more broadly to act more decisively on the numerous issues that have been clear for many years,” Mr Willox said.

Welcome back to Your Library

Service update from Friday, 18 June 2021

From Friday, 18 June, we are able to welcome more people to the library. All libraries will have a limit of 75 people at any one time, with the exception of Realm (50 per floor), Montrose (68), and Belgrave Express (30).

Call + Collect services are still available if you would prefer contactless service. Call your local library to arrange a selection of library items for collection.

In-person Storytime has been suspended until further notice. In the meantime, our Online Storytime program has resumed on Facebook, weekdays at 11am. Kids can also enjoy a wide range of 'boredom buster' activities on our YouTube page, presented by Your Library's Children's Librarians.

Conditions of entry:

• Library users must register their visit by using the QR Code or by registering in the Visitors’ Contact Log. • A family group can enter by one registration using the QR Code or by registering in the Visitors Contact Log. • A face mask must be worn at all times, unless the person has a *lawful reason not to. • The hand sanitiser provided must be used before entry to the library. • Please do not enter the library if you are unwell. You may be requested to leave if you display any symptoms of being unwell. • Whilst every care will be taken library customers are using our facilities at their own risk. • In the interest of health, safety and well-being to all, members must comply with all directives from the nominated Officer-in–charge.

See current services for updates. View current services

Winter School Holiday Program

Book Now

Welcome to Belgrave Express

Belgrave Express is a temporary service running in Belgrave while the library building is being renovated. Services include:

• Holds collection • Returns (during business hours only) • A small selection of picture books and adult titles • Storytimes (government restrictions permitting) • 2 PCs and a printer/copier

Belgrave Express is open Monday - Friday from 9am - 4:30pm and is located within the Belgrave Community Hub, 1616/1624 Burwood Highway, Belgrave.

More info

Digital Library Spotlight

Libby Chinese Collection

Have you discovered Libby's Chinese Collection yet?

Enjoy a range of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines for adults, as well as a selection of kids and teens titles. You can also make suggestions for purchase via the 'Recommend to Library' feature.