Charter of Contractual Fairness
On 1 July we launched our Charter of Contractual Fairness

We have heavily drawn the principles of contract fairness from the new consumer unfair contract protections laws. If it's fair for consumers, it's fair for small business people - the self-employed and independent contractors.

We are currently writing to Australian corporations asking them to commit to contract fairness in their dealings with small business people.
Our Campaigning
ICA's principal commitment is to lobby/advocate on small business issues. Here are our current campaigns:
Unfair Contract Protections
ICA says "extend unfair contract protections for consumers to small business". Our overview is here.
Stop Sham Contracts
ICA supports the prevention of sham contracts. We monitor what's happening with them. Our summary links are here.
Stop Phoenix Companies
Here's our commentary and some further links on the Phoenix problem.
Defend Contractor Tax
ICA has long fought to protect fair contractor tax laws.
Election Face-off 2010
The federal election was held on on 21 August 2010. ICA was active in assessing the policies of the ALP and the Coalition. Here's our comparative summary of the parties' policies just before the election.
Australian military aircraft (JSF). Bad deal?
Australia's decision to buy the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as the backbone of our air defence is under attack. Is this a bad procurement and contract management stuff-up? We've summarised the arguments and included some useful videos.

We Oppose Workplace Bullying
ICA opposes attempts by construction unions to bully their way on to work sites. Here are the issues from 2010:
Overview
Union violence on Westgate
Unions make threats

Laughing lawyers
You'll be amazed by the 'slips' that some lawyers make in court.
Watching Global Economies
Watching the USA
The US economy appears to be in recession. At the very least, we're getting very mixed signals about what's happening. Click here for a rundown on some of the best links we've found.
Watching China
China has just passed Japan as the world's second largest economy. It could become the largest global economy by 2030. We're maintaining a watching brief on the Chinese economy here.
Watching Goldman Sachs
Rolling Stone magazine has blown the lid on Goldman Sachs:
Article 1 [July 2009]
Article 2 [April 2010]
Article 3 [May 2010]
Central Banks on Debt
Since mid-May, central banks have been worried about sovereign debt. Click here for a list of useful links and summaries.
What the Pessimists said (January 2010)
We've brought together some pessimistic views about economics and likely economic trends in 2010:
US toxic loans
'US as sick as Greece'
Ken Phillips's summary
An 'IMF' perspective
Predicting 2010
Government debt a giant ponzi scheme?


Click to enlarge.

Ken Phillips on the debt equation

Industry/Retail super funds must come out
The Cooper Review into superannuation says the big funds are not disclosing enough and must be forced to do so. This is vital. See Chapter 4.

Here's why workers' money is at risk if disclosure is not enforced.
Look after your retirement
The Cooper Review of superannuation says Self Managed Super Funds are good and need little change to existing arrangements. This is welcome. See Chapter 8.

The Report also seems to have stopped the attack against SMSF's.
Understanding "Us": Self-employed People
ICA is committed to quality research to understand self-employed people.

6 July 2010: We released a unique research report made possible by an unusual collaborative effort. The report shatters many preconceived beliefs about 'us'; small and micro-business people. We believe it has global implications.

Main points and commentary
Summary
Full report.

20 July 2010: Here's further research from Flying Solo:
Report Summary; Full report and from Kelly Services: Report. And here's a comparative chart of our own.

One person's story


Recently we were able to offer a small touch of advice where we feel we've made a difference. We received an email from a woman subjected to what sounded like a sham contract and where payments owed to her were being denied.

    Dear Mr. Phillips,
    I have recently moved to Sydney from the United States and began working for a marketing and promotions company as a sales rep. I was told I had to register for an ABN number (which the company did for me) in order to work for the company and that I was considered an 'independent contractor' for my term of employment.

    I never saw any ABN forms, never set my hours, never set my own wages, was told to wear a uniform, etc. and was never told that I was to submit any documentation of my sales in order to receive payment.

    For weeks I received pay for the sales I did without knowing exactly how many sales I was getting paid for, etc. When asked, they said my 'pay slips were coming', but they never seemed to materialize. Long story short, I was 'let go' on accusations that were completely false, and have no records of my pay slips, etc from this company to file taxes with.

    Now that I am no longer with them, they are with holding my pay and saying they are going to not only charge me to produce 'invoices' of my payment but they are also taking out a GST tax from the wages they have previously paid out of my next payment.

    I am overseas and feel completely taken advantage of. Furthermore, according to your description of an Independent Contractor, I don't think I actually qualify as one. What are my rights in this situation and where do I go from here? I feel very helpless and overwhelmed, please give me any advice you can.

    Thanks so much for you time and I look forward to hearing from you.
We referred her directly to the complaints section of the Fair Work Ombudsman confirming what she thought should be her course of action. She sent this reply with permission for us to publicise her story:

    Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it. I was already thinking about contacting the Ombudsman so you have given me confidence to go ahead. Thank you so much. Its scary to be a 25 yr old female traveling alone and feel like you have no power. I appreciate your help once again, have a great day!
We've asked her to let us know how this develops and we'll report on an outcome when we become aware of it.

There's a lesson for everyone in this story. There are always con artists hanging around in society ready to rip off the vulnerable. At least in the sham contract area we now have an effective institution to chase up complaints. People should use this.