Social Enterprise News

Summertime Taskforce Project Recommendations Report and the Summertime Taskforce Project — Queensland Government Response.

The Summertime Taskforce Project was undertaken by the Queensland Small Business Commissioner in 2021 to investigate ways to support outdoor business expansion. Informed by an Industry Reference Group, the Taskforce considered options to activate outdoor trade to support business growth and local place-making. The Taskforce’s findings and recommendations are set out in the Summertime Taskforce Project: Recommendations Report.

The Queensland Government Response to the recommendations includes the Queensland Outdoor Activation Plan to help local governments to simplify regulatory requirements, celebrate outdoor trade and raise awareness of available support, and boost the capability of small businesses and local governments to activate outdoor trade. The Response and Action Plan were developed in consultation with key stakeholders including industry peak bodies, local governments, and other State Government agencies.

The Action Plan aims to assist your members and stakeholders to activate outdoor areas and make the most of Queensland’s great weather and lifestyle. 

Key actions include:

• supporting local governments to apply for delegations which allow designated officers to approve a liquor licence change of boundary for outdoor trade
• working with local governments to explore the establishment of Outdoor Trade Activation Areas
• improving guidance to businesses applying for dining and roadside vending
• continuing to deliver and expand the Queensland Business Launchpad to cut red tape for business
• developing a toolkit for councils to encourage and maximise outdoor trade.

The Response and Action Plan will be implemented over a three-year period to 2025. 

For more information please visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au/small-business/strategic-documents/summertime-taskforce, or contact Karen Wharton, Director, Strategic Policy on Karen.Wharton@desbt.qld.gov.au

This year’s Ethical Enterprise Conference explores The BIG Shift and how purpose-led business, ethical enterprise and social impact organisations can harness this opportunity, fuel their purpose, learn from and amplify each other. 

Come and join our interactive gathering to build lasting connections, be inspired and gather practical tools to help you grow.

8 - 9 December 2022, Melbourne Connect, the University of Melbourne

30% Discount Code for the QSEC network to attend the conference, the discount code is, QSECEEC  (applies to every ticket including early bird and group booking, except the dinner only) 

Further Details: https://www.moralfairground.com.au/ethical-enterprise-conference-2022

Ticketing here: https://www.moralfairground.com.au/eec22-ticketing

The AASB has issued its Discussion Paper — Development of simplified accounting requirements (Tier 3 Not-for-Profit Private Sector Entities). Comments are open until 31 March 2023.

The Discussion Paper proposes developing a stand-alone accounting standard containing the accounting requirements for smaller not-for-profit private sector entities. At the same time, the Board will also consider removing the ability of not-for-profit private sector entities to prepare special purpose financial statements in the future.

To accompany and support the consultation on the Discussion Paper, the AASB has published:

·       a 12-page snapshot providing an overview of the Discussion Paper. Read the Snapshot here.

·       a recorded education session (53mins) covering the proposed Tier 3 accounting and disclosure requirements.

o   Watch the recording on our YouTube channel here

o   Access the Slide Pack to the education session here;

·       Updated Research Report 10 Legislative and Regulatory Financial Reporting Requirements to help identify the entities with financial reporting obligations under Federal and State/Territory requirements that may be affected by the Board's proposals. Read Research Report 10 here.

The consultation provides an opportunity for interested stakeholders to help shape the financial reporting framework. We encourage all not-for-profit stakeholders to get involved by:

·       completing the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AASBTIER3NFP;

·       attending a planned virtual outreach session from October 2022 to March 2023. See registration details here;

·       making a written submission via 'Open for comment documents' here; or

·       reaching out to the AASB directly at standard@aasb.gov.au.

For more information, head to our Hot Topics page here.

·       AASB will be hosting five virtual outreach events to consult with stakeholders on the proposed Tier 3 accounting requirements on some of the key topics in the Discussion Paper.

Register your interest to attend by clicking the link to one of the sessions below:

Dates and Time	Zoom registration links
28 October 2022 [12:00pm – 1:00pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details
22 November 2022 [1:30pm – 2:30pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details
07 December 2022 [1:00pm – 2:00pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details
03 February 2023 [3:00pm – 4:00pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details
01 March 2023 [12:00pm – 1:00pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details

Submissions for the Jobs White Paper due 30 November 2022. Further information is available through this link.

The Employment White Paper (the White Paper) will provide a roadmap for Australia to build a bigger, better-trained and more productive workforce – to boost incomes and living standards and create more opportunities for more Australians.

The White Paper will build on the outcomes of the Jobs and Skills Summit and will have an overarching focus on the objectives of full employment and productivity growth for the benefit of all Australians, along with women’s economic participation and equality.

It will explore issues, frameworks and policy approaches relevant to the future of Australia’s labour market over the medium and long term and will take into account a diverse range of perspectives from across Australia, including from representatives of civil society, unions, employers and governments.

Applications for Social Enterprise Growth Grants (Round 1 – 2022–23) are now open.

The Social Enterprise Growth Grants program provides grants to eligible established Queensland social enterprises for capability and capacity building that supports the business to scale up or adapt.

The social enterprise must have potential within the next two years to grow the business including its social impact and increase employees.

Available funding

In 2022–23, $1.6 million will be available for Social Enterprise Growth Grants.

Funding of between $5,000 and $25,000 (excluding GST) may be provided for eligible organisations to purchase equipment and resources, or access business services, to enable them to move their social enterprise to the next stage of growth.

Applications for the Social Enterprise Growth Grants program  close at 5pm, Thursday 12 January 2023

MORE DETAILS: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/future-skills-fund/social-enterprise-grants

QUEENSLAND HAS LED THE WAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN AUSTRALIA. IN THE LEAD UP TO THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE QUEENSLAND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE COUNCIL’S (QSEC) INCORPORATION (MAY 2013) IN 2023, WE TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT AND LOOK BACK AT THE IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN THE JOURNEY SO FAR.... 

Join Impact Boom's Tom Allen as he interviews a panel of pioneers and leaders from the last ten years.

READ MORE

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST FOR FULL DETAILS

In May 2022, our QSEC Board met to think through the intention for a ten year vision for social enterprise development. 

If you are a social enterprise based in Queensland, and interested in being part of the movement for change through social enterprise, please review this document and consider joining our Board or being an Advisor in 2023. 

QSEC Ten Year Strategic Vision 

Join our Board in 2023

The Future of Work Report, supported by Australian Retirement Trust, is a valuable asset in supporting Queensland businesses to strategically plan for future opportunities and trends in workforces, workplaces and work lives.

CCIQ worked with hundreds of Queensland businesses to gain insight and experience to help us understand what the future of work in Queensland means for you.

The report highlights key drivers in future of work trends and how they’ll impact Queensland businesses now and in the future.

To download the full report please click on this link.

The annual Buy Queensland Supplier Awards have been announced with QSEC Member Iscariot Media presented with the Diversity through Supply Chains Award.

For the full story please click on this link.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Di Farmer

Newly established social enterprises across Queensland will share in over $500,000 to help them grow and increase their confidence as they begin their new venture.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said 23 grant recipients will now be able to purchase equipment, resources and business advisory services to support a solid foundation to build their business.

“Social enterprises are businesses that exist to do good, and I’m thrilled that we’re able to support them as they provide so many benefits to our communities – offering training opportunities, creating good jobs and providing better services,” Minister Farmer said.

“The 2020–21 State Budget committed $8 million over two years for the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund. The Social Enterprise Development Grants is the fourth grant program to be released under the Fund, enabling eligible enterprises and organisations to apply for up to $25,000.”

Minister Farmer said she was pleased to announce the grants recipients in the lead up to the 2022 Social Enterprise World Forum, co-hosted by White Box Enterprises, which will be held in Brisbane this week.

“Over 60 percent of Queensland’s social enterprises operate in four key industry areas – health care and social assistance, administration and support services, arts and recreation services and accommodation and food services – providing vital services statewide,” Minister Farmer said.

“Our grants help those enterprises to expand and create jobs for those more vulnerable members of our community who may experience challenges finding work.”

To read the full media release click here

To learn about the grants click here