How we can Avoid Loss of Life or Property Damage in a Flood

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Pete Maxwell
Sara

Floods cannot be prevented, but with good strategic planning and management, loss of life can be avoided, and damage to property can be minimised. The key to minimising the impact of floods is preparation, and to that end, everyone has a role to play. The federal and state governments need to come up with comprehensive and executable plans based on lessons from past flooding events.. So far, some states have been doing their part, for example, the Victorian Government launched its Floodplain Management Strategy to help communities prepare for future flooding events. Management strategies are created to ensure that communities know what measures to take while preparing for floods as well as what actions to take during actual flooding events. The federal and state governments need to come up with comprehensive and executable plans based on lessons from past flooding events. So far, some states have been doing their part, for example, the Victorian Government launched its Floodplain Management Strategy to help communities prepare for future flooding events.

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ATO: What you need to know about unpaid tax liabilities

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Pete Maxwell
Sara

Since July 2017, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has had the authority to share the names of taxpayers who have unpaid liabilities with Credit Reporting Agencies. Although it applies to all types of taxpayers, businesses are the ones that are most affected by this new law. As a business owner, this measure comes with certain implications that you need to understand so as to avoid finding yourself in an untenable position. As a business owner, this measure comes with certain implications that you need to understand so as to avoid finding yourself in an untenable position. Although it applies to all types of taxpayers, businesses are the ones that are most affected by this new law. As a business owner, this measure comes with certain implications that you need to understand so as to avoid finding yourself in an untenable position. If the ATO shares your information with credit reporting agencies, that information will become public, and this can put a black mark on your business.

You can also deal with the problem by restructuring your business to minimize that damage that may result from the negative credit information. If you have a good tax planning strategy, your business is less likely to fall into the tax liability category



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Dysfunctional Power Market sending Prices ‘Through the Roof’

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Pete Maxwell
Sara

The report actually calls for "brokerage and Implementing the recommendations could save people around $200 on their power bills.” she said Questioned about report recommendations Mr Gerard Brody, from the Consumer Action Law centre in Victoria said that the state's energy market “had been dysfunctional for too long and that customers had been ripped off for a very long time. "Competition needs to work to benefit customers and well-designed regulation can support effective competition," Mr Brody said. His comments were echoed by Victorian Council of Social Service chief executive Emma King who said the report showed that retailers had been fleecing customers. "For too long, everyday Victorian households have been ripped off by energy companies. They have been fleeced, it's time for that to end." Readers finding these increases difficult may find this article on handy ways to reduce your power bills helpful.

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Changing Stress and Anxiety into Efficiency

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Pete Maxwell
Sara

Can the health and wellbeing of workers and their performance be both advanced at the same time by utilizing practices validated by recently released studies? Leaders who want the best possible results for both the businesses they represent and the staff members that report to them, are finding simple yet successful, cutting edge solutions to this dilemma and we discuss this with business expert, Stuart Hayes: The first thing Stuart asks leaders to contemplate is the consequences of stress and anxiety in the workplace V's the results possible where wellbeing prevails: One- Efficiency of Personnel Stress and also bad feelings leads to staff's focus being diverted and having impaired psychological clarity. Whereas more satisfied team members have clearer minds and are more engaged, focused as well as resourceful; Two- Staff Well-being Strain and negative feelings can bring about ill health.... Whereas more satisfied team members have clearer minds and are more engaged, focused as well as resourceful; Two- Staff Well-being Strain and negative feelings can bring about ill health...

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Hiring The Right Tradie For Your Property

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Pete Maxwell
Sara

Whether you're planning to procure an all-around property contractor for a significant building task, creating a core maintenance team to maintain your rental's systems, or simply need to have a property contractor to remedy some difficulties around your residence, here are some tips you can use to do your due diligence and track down the ideal tradies as well as obtaining a tremendous job, at a good rate. 1. Ask people you really know and trust for recommendations When searching for a property improvement expert with a reliable standing as well as a significant line-up of recommendations, one of the very best practices to start your search is by talking to your network of family, buddies, and colleagues for suggestions. Some of the most reliable tradesmen are typically some of the hardest to come across, since they typically get a great deal Ask people you really know and trust for recommendations When searching for a property improvement expert with a reliable standing as well as a significant line-up of recommendations, one of the very best practices to start your search is by talking to your network of family, buddies, and colleagues for suggestions.

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Tax Time Tips

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Pete Maxwell
Sara

From Melbourne Accountant George Kontominas Money mistakes made this month can potentially cost you plenty at tax time says George Kontominas, the Managing Partner of Dendra Accounting Group. Kontominas was nominated for two individual awards in the prestigious Australian Accounting Awards, the top awards for the Accounting Industry. "Errors in June can create financial pain — particularly around the timing of tax-deductible payments and selling assets." said Kontominas. A failure to tax plan will delay tax-deductible expenses. A failure to tax plan will delay tax-deductible expenses. Kontominas was nominated for two individual awards in the prestigious Australian Accounting Awards, the top awards for the Accounting Industry. "Errors in June can create financial pain — particularly around the timing of tax-deductible payments and selling assets." said Kontominas. A failure to tax plan will delay tax-deductible expenses. For example, with investment or work-related expenses, delaying them until July means waiting an extra year to get a slice of that money back from the taxman.

Kontominas was nominated for two individual awards in the prestigious Australian Accounting Awards, the top awards for the Accounting Industry. "Errors in June can create financial pain — particularly around the timing of tax-deductible payments and selling assets." said Kontominas

Retailers in June promote tax deductions as part of their end-of-financial-year sales, which is good for people buying, particularly for business, who have a generous $20,000 capital expense limit per item for immediate tax write-offs. “But tax deductible expenses only make sense if they are for something your business actually needs” says Kontominas. Remember a tax deduction only gives you back your marginal tax rate, not the entire expense. Taxpayers should be mindful of the opportunity of timing purchases for their business

He said Any business owner who would like specialist information on Managing tax for Manufacturers can attend a free event on June 15.



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TROUBLED WATERS

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Pete Maxwell
Sara
So in the end, a day that began looking like a total disaster for the Democratic National Convention led to an evening that was not disastrous in the least — an evening, in fact, that might have saved not just the week but also the election. Okay, it’s way too soon to be sure about all of that. But earlier in the day, Bernie Sanders supporters were in the streets chanting the GOP convention’s slogan — “Lock her up!” — about the woman Democrats were about to nominate, Hillary Clinton. The outgoing chair of the party got roundly booed at a breakfast given by her home-state delegation, and Sanders himself was booed when he exhorted followers to work and vote for Clinton. Early speakers in the Wells Fargo Center faced a cacophony of catcalls. There was no way to go but up, and the ascent was launched not by a politician but by comedian Sarah Silverman.

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Botanic Gardens – Not Just a Pretty Picnic Spot

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Pete Maxwell
Sara
Been to the Botanic Gardens Lately? It's more than just a nice spot to catch up with a gathering, there's a variety of activities on offer for young and old. Here's a sampling of what's available or for more information head to their website https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au Botanical illustration beginners workshop with Mali Moir  This intensive four-day course provides an introduction to botanical art via pencil and watercolour. Students will begin to develop skills in outline drawing, foreshortening, tonal work, rendering of surfaces, basic colour work and paint application. The cost of the course includes equipment to be used during the workshop - drawing materials, paint, watercolour paper and brushes. Suitable for adults and teenagers. Presented by the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Monday 11 to Thursday 14 July 10am to 4pm each day Whirling Room Studio, GMT Building Melbourne Gardens Getting Here $399 adult $342 Friends' members Bookings / Enquiries T 03 9650 6398 E botanicart@frbgmelb.org.au Bookings required, cancellation and refund policy applies.

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Every breath you take

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Pete Maxwell
Sara
My reason for sending ‘my story’ to talkhealth (rather than to only the Aspergillosis website) was in an attempt to reach those unfortunates who have yet to be diagnosed and, of course GPs, as personally I have suffered these symptoms for twenty to twenty-five years (if not all my life!). I also know of others in the Group who have had similar experiences. So, I’m really pleased to have this further opportunity. This condition is referred to as ‘rare’ and I don’t dispute that per se, but based on my own experience and that of others, I consider it may be less rare and rather – under-diagnosed. When I described the symptoms as being ‘flu-like, with constant coughing, etc., on reflection, it was a somewhat under-estimated account, particularly in later years, as the fungal ball continued to grow in my lung. Having experienced influenza, bronchitis, pleurisy and pneumonia (the condition left me ‘open’ to every possible virus), in my experience, the effects are far worse than any/all of these.

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Protecting The Innocent

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Pete Maxwell
Sara
gavel I’ve always been known as a tough-on-crime, pro-law enforcement individual, and I still am. During my years as a North Carolina State Senator, I vigorously advocated for the death penalty. As a superior court judge, I presided over trials where the death penalty seemed like the only suitable punishment for the heinous crimes that had been committed. Finally, as a Justice, and then as Chief Justice, on the Supreme Court of North Carolina, I cast my vote at appropriate times to uphold that harsh and most final sentence. After decades of experience with the law, I have seen too much, and what I have seen has impacted my perspective. First, my faith in the criminal justice system, which had always been so steady, was shaken by the revelation that in some cases innocent men and women were being convicted of serious crimes. The increased availability of DNA testing in the early 2000s highlighted this problem so clearly to me.

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