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.

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.

Tax burden: UK versus Australia

Just as the UK is moving toward more sensible small business (contractor) tax laws, in Australia we're having to defend the progress we've made.

Laughing lawyers
	You'll be amazed by the 'slips' that some lawyers make in court.

Failure to fix unfair business contracts

ICA says "extend unfair contract protections for consumers to small business". New laws: Legislation #1 (March 2010) Legislation #2 (June 2010) Here's our summary of the situation. How the legislation defines unfair contract terms. Why small business people should have TPA protections from unfair contracts.

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.

Stand Up for Your (Contract) Rights!

We're monitoring contracts in general and promoting good contracts in particular. For example: Another bad contract (Jun 2010) One of the worst contracts we've seen (Jan 2010) 'Tom' versus DEEWR (Nov 2009) But a positive development from government Ken Phillips comments And some interesting discussions

Problems with Phoenix companies

Two ICA members' tell their stories ATO information on reporting suspect activity. Govt's attempts to do something: ICA comment Newspaper comment: The Australian The Age/Sydney Morning Herald Business Spectator What 'Tom' thinks What 'Jim' thinks

Stop Sham Contracts!
	ICA supports the prevention of sham contracts. We monitor what's happening with them:
One person's story Successful FWO prosecution (Dec 2009) Info from Fair Work Ombudsman (July 2009) First sham contract prosecution: ICA summary Make a complaint to FWO Business Spectator article Read the debate

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

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.

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

2.03 million self-employed Their interests are our interest Join our email list (A confirming email will be sent) Small Business Commissioner Victoria Dispute mediation Excellent, cheap, quick dispute mediation services for small/micro business people. Click here Govt Handbook on Independent Contractors Highly recommended, but care needs to be taken with PSI section The Handbook is here Minister's media release Register Your Business Name Here's how to register your business name nationally. Economic Rap Dance Video Amusing video on Hayek versus Keynes here. Paid Parental Leave Government booklet Too much red tape! Contractor or Employee? Access the ATO's new 'decision tool' (for tax/super only) Compare with ICA's (for general law): Simple check list Swinging pendulum test Modern Awards Here's a list of most of them. ICA Members only. Handy ATO tax links: Lodge your BAS online PAYG withholding tax tables New tax form: Taxpayer Statement of Account New tax form: Notice of Assessment Mortgage scams Small business support Payment arrangement calculator Want an ATO visit? ATO Help for small business ABN eligibility rules Self managing your tax debt Handy Super links: ATO SMSF compliance ATO free seminars. SMSF Admin advice New Super clearing house Tax on SMSF loans Small Business Finance Here's a bad story Watching recruitment agencies Publications People who are Self-Employed Profile © Roy Morgan Research The Workforce Superhighway [PDF] Bob Day ICA Small Business Videos 2009 'Business in Crisis' Click here 'The Early Years' Click here 'Research & Marketing' Click here Building Relationships ICA Summit 2009 Our successful November 2009 Conference. Presentations available here