Social Enterprise News

Media Release 13 May 2021

Tuesday night’s Federal Budget addressed some of the concerns about the continuation of economic stimulus packages for business, as Australia strives to recover from the impacts of COVID 19. However very little was mentioned to further social housing initiatives, environmental commitments or measures to address some of the more problematic gender, cultural, all-ability and older-age employment disparities in the current “Build Back Better” environment. 

QSEC President Richard Warner said, "There are some wide and broad announcements for women's economic, health and wellbeing, training in STEM, addressing superannuation, child care, housing and an attempt to address workplace bullying through program support. However, the built infrastructure focus of the economic stimulus may find those who are most in need still struggling to contribute meaningfully to a sustained and thriving economic solution.”

There were a range of tax incentives and initiatives in the government spending package which aims to accelerate the economic growth of businesses through support for job creation and training. 

Key business takeaways included; 

• $134.6 M (over four years) to help reduce the regulatory burden on business and their interaction with government. QSEC will help identify initiatives which may impact our members. 
  
  
• Extended Job Trainer Fund ($506.3 M over two years) which may assist members who are looking to utilise the training and skills short course pathways for their beneficiaries, or to locate skilled employees.
  
  
• Extended JobMaker Plan for temporary carry-back for tax losses (2022 - 23) against previously taxed profits for eligible businesses (back to 2018-19 tax year) and some allowances for depreciable assets, although there are eligibility restrictions. 
  
  
• Digital economy strategy including training and development for AI tech.
  
  
• Agri business incentives which may interest some of our eligible food business members and their partners. 

Social Enterprises and regional interests included: 

• $13.9 M (over four years) for an Early Stage Social Enterprise Foundation which will provide support and finance to an estimated 30 indigenous women entrepreneurs (per year).
  
  
• Prime Minister and Cabinet commitment for social impact initiatives ($12.1 M over 4 years).
  
  
• Rescue packages for tourism and aviation to increase regional traffic may benefit members who are reliant on tourism.
  
  
• Multi-million dollar regional infrastructure commitment, when paired with social procurement incentives may result in an increase in tender opportunities for social enterprises in the relevant fields. 
  
  
• Removal of the taxing point on cessation of employment for employee ownership share schemes. 
  
  
• A commitment to provide funding to state government to trial social impact investments which aim to assist vulnerable youth at risk of homelessness. 
  
  
• A range of incentives to encourage recycling behaviours and environmental protection and biodiversity.
  
  
• $59.8 M over four years to deliver grants through state government to boost existing organic waste and processing infrastructure and  $7.2M for education programs. 
  
  
• A raft of extended and renewed commitments to secure youth employment through Transition To Work, and Career Information schemes.
  
  
• Streamlining New Employment Service Model with the New Enterprise Initiative Scheme (NEIS) to assist self employment through business ownership. 
  
  
• Insurance subsidies for North Queensland.
  
  
• Disaster mitigation projects for impact areas. 

While this range of broad packages and incentivised programs address some of the focus areas of most concern to social enterprises, QSEC believes there is still much work to be done to ensure Australia’s most disadvantaged citizens are considered in a fair and regenerative economic environment. QSEC also anticipates that the Queensland Government’s own $8M Social Enterprise Jobs Fund (SEJF), announced in December 2020 will contribute to bridging some of these disparities for social enterprises operating in Queensland.

”We will continue to work alongside our national partners to further promote social enterprise as a viable and essential part of the broader economic solution. In partnership with our sector leaders and the Queensland State Government, QSEC will seek to leverage these federal budget opportunities for social enterprises through the SEJF programs, which we anticipate will be released shortly." Mr Warner continued, "There has never been a better time to go beyond business as usual to address the more persistent environmental, societal and cultural inequities”.

(From Department of Employment, Small Business and Training)

It’s time to show your love for Queensland small business!
It’s Queensland Small Business Month and across Queensland there are activities and events planned, delivering a range of opportunities for small business owners to network, connect and learn new skills that will help them succeed. Access the current list of events on the Business Queensland website.

This year, the focus is on supporting small businesses to bounce back better than ever after a challenging 18 months as we all join together to look ahead to a brighter future. There’s a full suite of promotional materials available to help you show your support: www.business.qld.gov.au/qsbm

During the month, we also have an important day of celebration on 15 May to show small business how much they mean to us – Love Your Small Business Day. Access ideas and a range of promotional materials to show your support for local small businesses: www.business.qld.gov.au/qsbm

Community Development Queensland Connections

QSEC CEO Elise Parups and President Richard Warner recently presented to the Community Development Queensland Network. Discussions focussed on ways social enterprises and grassroots community development works together to build community resilience and respond to local economic and social difficulties. CD workers are well placed in many regional areas in neighbourhood centres and in local government organisations to observe the real issues facing communities. It was great to see a strong connection to social enterprise ideas and we will continue to look for opportunities to collaborate. 

 Such a fantastic achievement!

Impact Investing Australia has been urging the government to act now to drive a positive and inclusive economic recovery by committing to catalytic market building measures to take Australia's impact investing market to scale.

This submission provides a policy framework which encourages investments which create jobs in sectors of the economy which are aligned with better social and environmental outcomes.

Read more here. 

The Social Enterprise Payment by Outcomes (PBO) Pilot is an initiative funded by the Australian Department of Social Services and delivered by White Box Enterprises. Together, we are seeking to improve long-term employment outcomes by linking Australia's most disadvantaged people with supported employment in work integrated social enterprises (WISE).

 Social Enterprises are invited to submit this expression of interest (EOI) to participate in the Social Enterprise Payment by Outcomes Pilot commencing in 2021.

Please note, by expressing your interest you will be invited to apply for participation in the program at a future date. Program numbers will be limited subject to DSS program requirements. Selection will be based on a range of factors that take into consideration the design and intended outcomes of the pilot.

Social enterprises not selected for this pilot may be considered for future program extensions.

This form will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

expressions of interest for social enterprises interested in participating in the PBO pilot and extended pilot.

To increase their chances of making significant impact, The Yunus Centre has narrowed its focus and pivoted to a mission-lead approach.

"We believe that experimentation and innovation are central to achieving this goal and needed in all sectors, contexts and places. So, through our work, we seek to amplify the practice of impact-led innovation, and enable change at the individual, organisational and systems level."

Learn more

ImpaQt Qld have launched an impact venture capital fund to make ‘impact investments’ in a diversified portfolio of high growth, impact-driven early stage companies.

Learn more

QSEC would like to wish a fond farewell to Social Traders Director Mark Daniels.

We wish you all the best at your new role with ArcBlue.

It has been a pleasure to work with you.