2011 Year In Review

There is no doubt that 2011 was a difficult year for business.  When you consider the other issues that have affected business in Australia, you gain an appreciation of the problems that confronted every business and the government including natural disasters such as the Christchurch earthquake, Japanese tsunami, floods in Queensland, Victoria, NSW, SA and WA.

The Queensland coal mine floods have affected export sales income significantly for many months of 2011.

These external matters, when combined with continuing political uncertainty in Australia and the drop in business activity, all contributed to a difficult year.  Interest rates did drop a little, but unemployment has started to increase to around 5.5%.  The Australian currency has had a mixed result.  The rates of the A$ -vs- US$ ranged from 90 cents to A$1.10 and is currently about $1.02.  When this score card is examined, in conjunction with what is happening in Europe, USA and, to some extent, Japan, it highlights the necessity for small business operators to be very diligent in their business management in 2012.

Getting Ready for 2012

Some of the headlines in TV news bulletins have issued grim warnings as to what might occur in 2012 with some commentators claiming that the emerging financial positions are the worst in 25 years.
Australia will not be able to totally escape problems from the ongoing mess in Europe which, when coupled with continuing problems in America and the “two-speed” economy in Australia, highlights the necessity for all businesses to be doing some planning now, to ensure business survival in 2012.  

Some of the things to think about:

• Have you “stress tested” your business (refer article in November issue)?  You should review your cash management control procedures, particularly relating to: debtors, work in progress and compliance with bank covenants on any financial facility that the bank has made available to you.  
• Be careful about an over-reliance on bank overdraft because banks have been known to suddenly withdraw overdraft facilities with little warning to the small business.  If it is possible to arrange for a loan to incorporate a bank overdraft facility then this might be a better approach to securing ongoing bank facilities.
• Have you thought about the carbon tax issues?  The effects of these on your business and the changes you need to make to minimise the effect of the flow through from the carbon tax.
• It is probably a good time to undertake a wastage review – could costs be reduced relative to electricity, gas usage, travel expenses and telephone?
• Difficult trading conditions should not stop small business operators from maintaining a good relationship with their team.  To survive in difficult times, small businesses need the best possible team they can employ.  

Our recommendation is for all businesses to prepare Budgets and Cashflow Forecasts for the likely trading scenario in 2012 and have a meeting with your bank in relation to the facilities required.

If you would like to have a discussion with us relative to any aspect of getting ready for 2012, please do not hesitate to contact us.

New Work Health and Safety Laws

• they have taken reasonable steps to acquire and update their knowledge of Health and Safety matters;
• they understand the operations being carried out by the person conducting the business or undertaking, in which they are employed;
• they understand the hazards and risks associated with the operation;
• the person conducting the business or undertaking has and uses appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks arising from the work being undertaken;
• the person conducting the business undertaking has appropriate processes in place to receive and respond promptly to information regarding incidents, hazards and risks;  and
• the person conducting the business or undertaking has and uses processes for complying with duties or obligations under the WHS Act.

• the provision and safety of a working environment without risks to Health and Safety;
• the provision and maintenance of safe plant structures;
• the provision and maintenance of safe systems of work;
• the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant structures and substances;
• the provision of adequate facilities for the welfare of workers in carrying out work for the business or undertaking including ensuring access to those facilities;
• the provision of any information, training and structural supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their Health and Safety arising from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking; and
• that the health of workers and the conditions at the workplace are monitored, for the purpose of any illness or injury of workers arising from the conduct of the business or undertaking.

Mini Budget – Effects on SMEs

The newspaper headlines really told the story.  The Federal government’s budget deficit forecast for 2011/12 has blown out by nearly $15B, from a deficit of $22.6B to $37.18B.  The government is now forecasting a surplus of $1.3B in 2012/13.  The government has made some changes which may affect some small businesses by firstly bringing forward expenditure originally planned for 2012/13 into 2011/12 which could benefit SMEs involved in road infrastructure or natural disaster relief programmes.

The other changes worth noting are as follows:The government has delayed the introduction of the instant “deduction for work related expenses” of $500 without having to produce any receipts until the 2013/14 financial year.

• There are changes being made to the living away from home allowance rules which will mean that recipients will need to substantiate expenditure claims beyond a statutory amount.
• The superannuation co-contribution from the federal government will fall from $1,000 to $500 in the 2012/13 financial year for those with incomes up to $31,920 and will cut out at $46,920.
• Contribution caps for superannuation will not be indexed until 2014/15. 

• employees under 50 years of age  -  $25,000
• employees over 50 years of age  -  $50,000

If you have any specific concerns relative to the Federal government’s Mini Budget please do not hesitate to contact us.

Personal Property Securities Act

• the supply of goods under a Retention of Title Clause eg. Romalpa Clause (a Retention of Title Clause which is a provision in a contract for the sale of goods, that the title to the goods remains vested in the seller until certain obligations (usually payment of the purchase price) are fulfilled by the buyer.  No matter how sophisticated the Retention of Title Clause is, security would be void if the assets are not recorded in the Register of Personal Properties Securities.
• the delivery of goods to a consignee under a commercial consignment (a business supplying goods such as computing equipment, books, jewellery, watches etc., on consignment to retailers) will need to register their interests in assets held by the retailer.
• a Payment Retention Clause under a construction contract.
• an agent’s right, under an Agency Agreement to retain property until the agent has been paid their fees and expenses.
• a security deposit under a Supply Agreement.