Letter to Member; Free Childcare, Tenancies, Chamber Communications And Programs (NEW)(COVID-19)
CHILDCARE
The Prime Minister has today announced a measure that will provide free child care, underpinning the survival of childcare centres and allowing working parents to continue to work. See the Prime Minister’s Media Statement: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package
Key features of the plan are:
- The Policy replaces the Child Care Subsidy and the Additional Child Care Subsidy.
- The Government will pay fifty percent (50%) of the sectors revenue up to the existing hourly rate cap (based on a point in time before parents starting withdrawing children in large numbers).
- The centres must remain open and not charge families for care.
- The funding will apply from 6 April 2020 based on the number of children who were in care during the fortnight leading into 2 March 2020.
- Priority is to be given to working parents, vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and parents with pre-existing enrolments.
- Payments will start at the end of the week commencing 6 April 2020.
- The policy will be reviewed at various stages.
Clearly, there are some aspects of this that will need to be clarified. If anything significant changes I’ll let you know.
TENANCIES
The Prime Minister has also stated that the National Cabinet is considering short-term intervention for commercial tenancy arrangements. I will keep advised of the outcome of these deliberations.
CHAMBER ACTIVITIES
1. COVID-19 Member Communications
Our email advisory's are available on our dedicated COVID-19 web page.
Where the Chamber is hosting a webinar it will be uploaded to our youtube channel and also made available on the Chamber website.
2. Business Coaching
The Armidale Business Chamber has put together a free business coaching package to support business as they adjust to significant change under very tight timeframes and difficult circumstances.
In partnership with Mandy Walker of Focus First the Chamber is providing a 45 minute one on one business coaching consultation (via phone). Each session is tailored to the needs of the individual business, whether those are: 'tactical and practical, providing help with navigating the now; or survival, keeping your business afloat; or for future planning, reimagining your business or starting a new one.
The consult is by appointment only. Contact Mandy via email or phone 0459 098 618.
3. Webinars
On 29 March Roberts and Morrow, in partnership with the Chamber, provided via webinar, an interactive presentation on The Federal Government's Response to the Coronavirus. The Ramifications for Small Business. The webinar is available on the Chamber’s youtube channel or website. Subsequently they have presented a further webinar today on the Federal Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus - Support for Businesses Measures.
Local HR business and Chamber member, Pinnacle People Solutions have been delivering a daily livestream providing an interactive Q & A from the HR perspective. Topics to date include: JobKeeper program including how to rehire terminated employees, working remotely, reducing and restructuring, mental health and wellbeing. PPS Employer Video Advisory Series can be viewed here.
The Northern Region Business Enterprise Centre is delivering a FREE online series of workshops to help businesses shift to digital platforms.
Upcoming Webinar events include:
- Federal Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus - Support for Individuals and Households and Available Financing Options Measures - Friday 3 April at 11.30 am. Find out more. (Roberts & Morrow)
- HR Advisory: Partially reducing your workforce, meeting your obligations when timing is everything - Friday 3 April at 9.15am (Pinnacle People Solutions)
- HR Advisory: Workers Compensation and COVID-19 - Monday 6 April at 9.15am (Pinnacle People Solutions)
- SEO Basics - Getting Found on Google – 10am or 5:30pm on Tuesday 7 April 2020 (Northern Region Business Enterprise Centre)
- Mailchimp for Beginners – 10am on Monday 4 May 2020 (Northern Region Business Enterprise Centre)
We are actively sharing relevant, credible information via our Facebook group: COVID-19 Business Advisory and Resources. We encourage Members and Friends to let us know via email or Facebook message what information they would like to see addressed.
Best Wishes
Anthony
Anthony Fox
President
Armidale Business Chamber
afox@foxlegal.com.au
0402 838 077
USEFUL LINKS:
Coronavirus Australia App Available from the Apple App or Google Play. Read more.
Join our Facebook groups:
