Drought Concessional Loan Scheme Opens
25 June 2014
Eligible farmers in NSW who are experiencing financial hardship from drought are now able to apply for a concessional loan under the Drought Concessional Loans Scheme to help cope with the current conditions and recover when conditions improve.
Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, and NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced the roll out of the scheme in NSW late last week.
"I said we would deliver a loans package for farmers struggling with the drought in NSW – and we've delivered. I am pleased that $100 million in drought loans will now start flowing to NSW farmers," Minister Joyce said.
Fair Work Commission Announces Minimum Wage Hike
11 June 2014
The Fair Work Commission recently handed down its decision to apply a 3% increase to the minimum wage with effect from the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2014.
The new national minimum wage will be $640.90 per week or $16.87 per hour. The hourly rate has been calculated on the basis of a 38 hour week for a full-time employee. This constitutes an increase of $18.70 per week or 50 cents per hour.
Boyce Director Sings Up a Storm
4 June 2014
Boyce Wagga Director, Simon Sellars, revealed a hidden talent when he competed in the recent “Wagga Wagga It Takes Two” charity concert held over three nights from 24 to 26 April.
The annual competition, which pairs 12 local celebrities with accomplished singers, raises money for nominated charities.
Simon and his singing partner, Lauren Carlson, wowed the audiences with a quintessential medley rendition of three classic hits from the legendary Australian rock group INXS - “Need you tonight”, “What you need” and “New Sensation”.
Cooma Accountant Excels
4 June 2014
Boyce Cooma employee Iain Elliott (pictured at right with Boyce Director, Jono Forrest) is celebrating a rare feat in accounting terms having topped not just the State but the entire country in the “Financial Accounting and Reporting” module of the CA Program, the accounting industry’s post-graduate course.
Boyce Cooma Director, Julie Schofield, said that the firm is very proud of Iain’s achievements.
“The entire Boyce team is in awe of Iain’s fantastic results - not only for what he has achieved in this module but right the way through what is a very exacting course,” said Julie.
“Anyone who has attempted the CA program knows how tough it is and for Iain to achieve at this level is a very significant accomplishment.”
Family Tax Benefit Lodgement Deadline Looming
4 June 2014
Aside from the changes proposed by the Government to Family Tax Benefits (as outlined in our recent 2014 Budget Update), families should be aware of an even more pressing deadline.
The lodgement time-frame in relation to claiming a lump sum or confirming your income in respect of Family Tax and Child Care benefits was reduced by the previous Labor government from two years to one year.
This means that for the 2012-13 financial year you only have up until 30 June 2014 to lodge a lump sum claim or confirm your income in relation to these benefits.