Western Sydney’s leading business news service is growing its international reach.

Statistics from the international publishing platform, ISSUU, shows that Western Sydney Business Access (WSBA) is growing its international readership base.

WSBA is published by Access News Australia Pty Ltd (ANA), which also publishes Central Coast Business Access (CCBA).

ISSUU statistics show readership of WSBA come from the following countries: USA, Canada, UK, India, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Ireland and New Zealand. Outside of Australia, WSBA is most read in the USA and Canada.

WSBA publisher Michael Walls said the readership results where pleasing and demonstrated the value of publishing strong original content.

“Access is fortunate to have among our contributors some very talented journalists with many years’ experience and this enables us to serve our markets well in terms of publishing relevant and interesting content,” Mr Walls said.

In these challenging times of Coronavirus Western Sydney Business Access (WSBA) is taking steps to ensure readers and clients continue to have easy access to Western Sydney’s leading business news service.

“We are mindful of following the Government's social distancing guidelines, while maintaining our relationship with the regional business community and our loyal reader base,” said Mr Walls.

From the April edition and until further notice the distribution of printed copies of WSBA will be reduced and WSBA will be primarily distributed to readers digitally.

This means that WSBA will be created as usual and posted as a downloadable PDF at www.accessnews.com.au for easy viewing 24/7, as has always been the case.

Further, each edition will be broadcasted to more than 50,000 carefully targeted Western Sydney residents and business people via Facebook, LinkedIn and direct email links.

WSBA has engaged the services of respected media agency Happy Hippo Media to develop the social media campaigns for WSBA.

“We are confident that our new online distribution model will result in even more readers of WSBA,” Mr Walls said.

“As the global pandemic eases, we will resume normal distribution of our newspaper. We wish all Western Sydney residents the very best in these challenging times.”

Feel free to contact WSBA at any time at info@accessnews.com.au. To view the online edition go to www.accessnews.com.au.

Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies program shines a spotlight on Australia’s most outstanding private businesses and the exceptional performance that drives them. 

Companies are evaluated against global benchmarks for success, across the following areas:

• Strategy
• Culture and Commitment
• Capabilities and Innovation
• Governance and Financials

Throughout the process Deloitte will guide each company and provide you with the tools to take your business to the next level.

Eligibility criteria

Companies who want to apply must meet the following criteria:

• In operation for more than three years with financial documentation
• Privately Owned Enterprise
• Revenue greater than AUD$75 million in the most recent year of business
• Headquartered in Australia

The following companies are ineligible:

• Public companies
• Foreign multinationals and their subsidiaries
• Credit unions/insurance companies/banks/co-ops
• Charities and not-for-profit organisations and their subsidiaries
• Government-owned/public sector agencies
• Partnerships

Contact

For more information and to find out how you can nominate your company, click here.

Bankwest Stadium injects $1 million into Parramatta’s local economy every time it holds a major event. Recent research commissioned by City of Parramatta found that Bankwest Stadium has had a large economic impact on the City in a very short time.

The report ‘Bankwest Stadium – Bolstering the local economy’, is a snapshot of Parramatta’s future. Since opening in April 2019, the 30,000-seat venue has cemented itself as Sydney’s new home of entertainment and sport, and is attracting a new, ongoing wave of visitors to Parramatta – all of whom are spending money.

The research, conducted by reputable agency, Micromex Research, included a survey of more than 600 people who attended one of three weekend sporting matches at Bankwest in June and July last year. People were asked a range of questions, including how they got to Parramatta, what they thought of our City, and how they spent their money. Not only was their spend positive, but their experience of the City and the new Bankwest Stadium rated highly across all areas.

Key findings from the research include:

• Visitation to Bankwest Stadium has a direct link to a positive, incremental spend in the Parramatta area before and after a match.
• Bankwest Stadium has played a significant role in shaping positive perceptions not only of the stadium itself, but of Parramatta as a leisure and recreation destination.
• There is a higher spend amongst patrons who take public or active transport to and from the stadium than those who drive.
• A significant portion of the respondents were unable to rate the range and quality of cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs in Parramatta, suggesting there are growth opportunities for this sector.

In an effort to leverage the increased visitation in Parramatta and support local businesses, City of Parramatta Council is upgrading lighting along a critical pathway to ensure stadium goers can safely and easily access Church Street’s dining options before or after a match. Council is also involved in promoting matches to the City’s corporate businesses in an effort to generate higher economic activity.

Overall, the three sporting matches generated a combined estimated $2.92 million for the local economy, with approximately 57 percent of this generated pre and post-match outside the stadium. Among the highest rated criteria were pre and post-match safety (mean ratings of 9.06 and 8.77 out of 10 respectively), and the range of cafes/restaurants/ bars/clubs available (8.73 out of 10). Significantly, 88 percent of patrons indicated their visitation at Bankwest Stadium positively influenced their perception of Parramatta as a leisure and recreation destination.

The first major piece of new infrastructure in a City that is undergoing considerable transformation, Bankwest Stadium offers local businesses a first glimpse of the widespread economic benefits still to come.

To read the full report, please visit investparramatta.com.au.

This year Westmead Hospital Foundation celebrates 30 years of fundraising for health care and research at Westmead Hospital.

In 1990, a small team of clinicians and researchers passionate about furthering their work in Western Sydney began the Foundation. Today, 30 years later, the professional fundraising team at the Foundation continue this work – advocating for Westmead’s world leading health care and research, and the impact it has in our community and globally.

Over this time Westmead Hospital Foundation’s core mission has remained unchanged - raising funds to support Westmead Hospital’s clinical services through state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment, new technology, research and patient care.

Through the generous support of individuals, community and corporate donors the Foundation has continued to fund life-saving medical and surgical equipment, ground-breaking research and scholarships for further education of our clinicians for the people of Western Sydney and beyond.

In October 2020, the new Central Acute Services Building will open and will increase integration between Westmead Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney. It will host several adult and children’s services, including emergency, pharmacy, imaging and state-of-the-art operating suites. The new facilities and services will improve health outcomes and experiences for our patients, carers, families, staff, students and communities.

Westmead Hospital Foundation’s fundraising support programs are needed more than ever to support the continued growth and expansion of services at Westmead Hospital now and into the future.

Businesses today recognise the benefits of giving staff the time to give back to the community in small and meaningful ways. Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney offers this opportunity to your business through its group volunteering program, Meals From The Heart.

You’re invited to step into our kitchen for a night and cook fresh, nutritious meals for seriously ill children and their families who call our House a home-away-from-home.

Rachael from Aryzta, international food business, and Meals From The Heart participant says:

“Supporting RMHC Greater Western Sydney’s Meals from the Heart corporate volunteering program gives our team a sense of community and an opportunity to give back in a small, practical way to families who are going through the toughest time of their lives. The Meals From The Heart nights give families a time to come together in a warm, friendly environment over a home-cooked meal… that they didn’t have to prepare! It allows parents to spend time with their seriously ill child and their other children and simply enjoy a family dinner, together.”

The program provides the families staying at the Westmead House with a delicious hot meal, three nights a week. Families find comfort in hearing laughter in the kitchen and enjoying dinner that’s been served with a smile.

Tanya-Lee, mum of Codee, who stayed at the House for 241 nights says:

“The Meals From The Heart dinners were always such a highlight when we were there. Especially when you’d had a long day on ward, the last thing you wanted to do was cook dinner! And the kids always enjoyed the company of the people who came.”

Western Sydney businesses, rally your teams together!

For your next corporate volunteering day, why not come and cook a Meal From The Heart?

Click here to book or contact the RMHC Western Sydney team at:

E: supportingGWS@rmhc.org.au

P: (02) 9806 7111

Welcome to 2020 and what promises to be another exciting year in the legal world!

Recent events and the attitude of legislators and regulators means that more than ever this will be a year where businesses need to understand the rules that govern the conduct of their operations and take action to comply.

The Headlines

Headlining this years annual legal update are issues relating to:

• the Corporations Act and the tougher maximum penalties that apply
• the Australian Consumer Law and some record-breaking fines that indicate a resolve to enforce the law
• automatic rollover clauses and potential remedies for small business
• excessive surcharge clauses – what is appropriate and what isn’t!
• social media and the need for businesses to actively monitor and moderate comments and posts on their social media accounts as part of their risk management strategies

The Takeaway

Whilst some of the changes have been operational for some time, nevertheless they remain topical as we are still finding businesses that are either falling short of these requirements or missing out on taking advantage of changes that are beneficial, and with the adverse consequences highlighted by recent court decisions, now is the time to be proactive!

CORPORATIONS ACT - Tougher maximum penalties & the ‘why not litigate’ mantra of ASIC

In response to the Banking Royal Commission, Parliament passed amendments to the Corporations Act which came into effect on 13 March 2019.

The effect of these changes is to significantly increase the maximum civil and criminal penalties which apply to breaches of the Corporations Act.  READ MORE>

AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW - Record breaking fines

2019 saw a continued trend of record-breaking fines imposed against companies for breaches of the Australian Consumer Law.  READ MORE>

AUTOMATIC ROLLOVER CLAUSES – What are your rights?

During 2019 we received many enquiries from small businesses looking to get out of contracts with “automatic rollover” provisions.

An automatic rollover provision is a clause in a contract which provides that the contract will automatically renew for an additional term unless one of the parties opts out by giving notice to the other party of its intention not to renew. These clauses raise concerns for small businesses.  READ MORE>

EXCESSIVE SURCHARGE LAWS – Beware!

Does your business charge consumers a surcharge for processing credit and debit card payments?

If so, changes to the Competition and Consumer Act in 2016 mean companies are prohibited from charging customers excessive payment surcharges.  READ MORE> 

SOCIAL MEDIA - Be on high alert as to the risks!

An important decision was handed down in 2019 by the New South Wales Supreme Court in Voller v Nationwide News Pty Ltd (and others) which is highly relevant to any business which uses social media to promote its activities.  READ MORE> 

More Information and Contacts

As this is intended as a brief synopsis only, we would be pleased to discuss with you any questions arising and provide such other advice or assistance as you may require. In that respect, please contact a member of our Commercial Law Team including:

Stewart Gough E: stewartg@matthewsfolbigg.com.au P: 9806 7483

Phillip Brophy E: phillipb@matthewsfolbigg.com.au P: 9806 7452

Douglas Brown E: douglasb@matthewsfolbigg.com.au P: 9806 7408

Edward Choi E: edwardc@matthewsfolbigg.com.au P: 9806 7432

Best wishes for 2020.

Stewart Gough, Principal

By Michael Page

With 2020 now in full swing, all eyes are set on the future as the new decade brings with it renewed energy and opportunities for Australia’s 12.9 million employees.

Despite a predicted slowdown in the economy, the nation’s workers can be optimistic as trends in entrepreneurship, technology and a growing service sector are expected to generate strong job growth. However, changing organisational structures and the fourth industrial revolution will transform jobs as we know it. So what does 2020 hold for Australia’s job market?

Recruitment for talent in these industries set to boom

Although megatrends in data and connectivity are causing disruption and innovation across the nation, traditional service roles are expected to see the biggest growth in 2020. Jobs Outlook reveals two out of every three new jobs created will come from one of four main industries:

• health care and social assistance,
• construction,
• education and training, and
• professional, scientific and technical services.

With an ageing population, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and growing demand for childcare and home-care based services, health care and social assistance is Australia’s largest and fastest growing industry. The field currently employs over 1.5 million people and is expected to generate tens of thousands of additional jobs in the coming half-decade.

RELATED: Top 10 highest paying jobs in Australia in 2020

Meanwhile, investment in national infrastructure and a growing population means continued growth in the construction and property sector. Building and plumbing labourers, engineers, construction managers and casual labourers will be in high demand as more roads, railways and airports are built in the next 5 years. Similarly, Australia’s growing population and high demand for trained professionals means the education sector is set to boom, with strong demand across the board in primary, secondary, adult and community education.

RELATED: Michael Page Salary Benchmark Guide 2020

Despite the fact that service roles are expected to account for the lion’s share of job growth in 2020 and beyond, demand for employees in the professional, scientific and technical services is also predicted to skyrocket. Fuelled by the global tech revolution, demand is growing for skills in computer system design and ICT. Similarly, management, consulting, legal and accounting professions are in high demand as more Australians embrace entrepreneurship and our start-up culture evolves.

However, while job opportunities will continue this year, attracting and winning talent for these roles is a key challenge for businesses across the board.

Employees choosing opportunity over remuneration

The latest Michael Page Australia Salary Benchmark 2020 Report revealed that, while salary is important for employees, it’s far from being the top driving factor when it comes to job satisfaction.

According to the report, 94% of professionals say unsatisfactory monetary benefits were not top of mind when deciding to leave a job. Furthermore, both gen X and millennial employees said they would have stayed in their last company if they were offered more training and development plans, and if employee engagement was strengthened.

These insights shed valuable light into the growing importance of personal and development opportunities, as well as a positive work culture when accepting a new job.

For more hiring and recruitment trends, read the full Michael Page Salary Benchmark Guide 2020 here.

The outlook for 2020 is stark, PwC Australia’s 23rd CEO Survey is showing an increase in pessimism; not surprising given the ongoing uncertainty over trade tensions, geopolitical issues and the lack of agreement on how to deal with climate change.

The survey found:

• 80% of Australia’s CEOs are concerned about economic growth in 2020
• 78% - the number of CEOs who see key skills as a top risk
• #1 Cyber returns as the number one threat to growth
• 2 in 3 Australian CEOs see climate change as a threat
• 63% of local CEOs are concerned about a lack of trust in business
  

Explore the key insights and actions across issues such as strategic goals, prospects for economic growth, workforce challenges, threats facing companies, trust and the future of digital privacy. 

In December Harvard Business Review (HBR) published their top 15 leadership tips for 2019. The beginning of the new year is usually the time when we feel ‘fired up’ for action, so I have decided to kick the year off by using HBR’s top tips to create a ‘Leadership Scorecard’.

Leadership Scorecard

Take 5 minutes to answer the twelve questions on the scorecard below and find out how strongly you rate as a leader. To download your copy, click WCT Leadership Scorecard.

The responses are Yes/No because you must do that item at least 80% of the time before your team members and your peers will describe you as having the skill or characteristic. Anything below 80% is a ‘no’ because it needs prompt attention and action from you.

Interpreting Your Quiz Results

Congratulations on completing the quiz. Add up the total number of ‘Yes’ responses.

If you scored:

• 8 to 10 – Well done! Your team and colleagues will see you as an excellent leader. Keep up the superb work.
• 6 to 7 – You’re a competent leader, but not a high-flyer. What actions are you going to take this year to improve your leadership capability?
• 5 or less – It looks like your intentions don’t match your actions, at least not consistently enough. What changes will you make?

Need to Improve Your Score?

Which item would make the most significant difference to your performance as a leader? What will you need to change to become the leader you’d like to be? Can you make the changes yourself, or could you fast-track them by using a coach or mentor?

If you’re ‘fired up’ about making changes to your leadership performance, don’t let another year slip by. Take a photo of your completed quiz and text it now to 0417 272 583 or email it to info@worldclassteams.com.au.

Every person who submits their quiz will get a FREE 15-minute coaching session with Diana Tapp. In this 100% free, no-obligation call, you’ll get greater insight into your leadership style and be given three practical tips, based on your individual responses.

This FREE 15-MINUTE COACHING SESSION offer is strictly limited — send in your quiz by 5pm on 3rd March 2020 to secure your spot.

Welcome to 2020 and what promises to be another exciting year in the legal world!

To help prepare you for 2020 we succinctly detail in this edition current topical legal matters and those we believe are on the horizon for the year ahead. As always, we invite you to contact our Employment & Workplace Law Team using the contact details further below if you require any assistance or further advice regarding the issues raised and action items arising.

The Headlines

Headlining this years annual legal update are issues relating to:

• updated modern awards commencing from 4 February 2020
• the upcoming overhaul to ‘annualised salary’ terms in modern awards
• the requirement that all public and large proprietary companies implement a compliant whistleblower policy by 1 January 2020
• the ongoing legal dispute over the calculation of personal leave for employees with irregular roster hours
• the Commonwealth Government’s proposed religious discrimination/freedom legislation

The Takeaway

With some of the changes already operational and others soon to commence, now is the time to be proactive to ensure compliance and reduce the risk of adverse consequences arising such as fines, underpayments and back-pay claims, Ombudsman investigations, civil and criminal prosecutions, negative publicity, disputes with employees and personal liability for individuals involved in the contravention!

MODERN AWARDS – New Awards commencing from 4 February 2020

Since 2014 the Fair Work Commission has been undertaking a ‘four-yearly review’ of all modern awards, during which the Commission has clarified how some modern award clauses operate and made numerous changes.

Now the time has come for the new modern awards to be released in three tranches, the first of which commence in the first full pay period on or after 4 February 2020.  READ MORE>

ANNUALISED SALARIES – Changes to burden employers

The Fair Work Commission has turned its focus to the disparate ‘annualised salary’ provisions found within various modern awards and with the inherent lack of employee wage safeguards being a key driver for change, the Commission has created new rules that govern same.

Presently 21 modern awards will be varied to incorporate a model annualised salary term.  READ MORE>

WHISTLEBLOWER POLICIES – MUST be in place by 1 January 2020

From 1 January 2020, all public and large proprietary companies must have in place a whistleblower policy which meets all mandatory statutory requirements.  READ MORE> 

COURT CASES – Personal leave calculation decision off to the High Court

2020 may see a fundamental shift in how personal leave is accrued and paid following a controversial Federal Court decision relating to the calculation of leave for employees with non-standard rostered hours.  READ MORE>

NEW LAWS - Religious discrimination legislation on track to be introduced in 2020

The Federal Government is on track to introduce religious discrimination legislation in 2020, with a second exposure draft of its Religious Discrimination Bill introduced in parliament in late December 2019.

The Bill adopts the general objects, protections and prohibitions contained in similar Federal anti-discrimination laws such as the Age Discrimination Act, Disability Discrimination Act and Sex Discrimination Act, with some alterations to reflect the distinct nature of ‘religious belief or activity’ as a protected attribute.  READ MORE> 

More Information and Contacts

As this is intended as a brief synopsis only, we would be pleased to discuss with you any questions arising and provide such other advice or assistance as you may require. In that respect, please contact a member of our Employment & Workplace Law Team including:

Stewart Gough E: stewartg@matthewsfolbigg.com.au P: 9806 7483

Peter Doughman E: pdoughman@matthewsfolbigg.com.au P: 9806 7412

Best wishes for 2020.

Stewart Gough, Principal