Leadership expert John Colbert – who sees clients suffering with burnout every week – tells those at risk how to turn their lives around. Corporate Edge director and author John says: “Own it first and then you can beat it.” He tells the latest Australian Conveyancer magazine of the burnout warning signs to look out for, which include:- Feeling distracted and less patient, Having low energy and being more tired earlier than usual, Finding it hard to listen to loved ones, Being easily agitated and frustrated, And feeling more anxious than usual. “At work sufferers will find it difficult to ..read more

By Poppy Johnston A larger-than-expected rise in prices was recorded last month, with consumers slugged with higher prices for essentials like groceries and health. For the second month in a row, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ monthly consumer price index clocked a small increase. The 3.6 per cent growth in consumer prices logged in the 12 months to April is faster than the 3.5 per cent in the year to March, and keeps inflation edging further away from the Reserve Bank’s target range of two per cent and three per cent. Yet the monthly index is more volatile and less comprehensive th ..read more

Business growth is often determined by not only the conveyancing matters being actioned by your firm, but by the leadership shown by ownership. It’s important to note your clients and employees won’t know the hard work you do behind the scenes, but by the moments you show as a leader. So, you need to make those moments count. Having leadership skills can come in many forms and can all contribute to the success of your business’ goals. Leadership is not just one skill, but rather a combination of several different skills working together. Some examples of the skills that make an effective lea ..read more

There are many benefits to running your own business or having a small team around you, especially in the realm of practice growth. These can include greater reward, increased job satisfaction and sometimes the increased hour flexibility and control that comes with being your own boss. With smaller businesses, it also allows for better management with fewer employees and different personality types. Unsurprisingly, a study by the law society revealed that the number of sole practitioners and small firms (those with two to four partners) increased by 37 per cent and 74 per cent, respectively ..read more

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor speaks during a television interview at Parliament House in Canberra. By Tess Ikonomou Power bill relief for struggling households will sail through parliament but manufacturing subsidies face a more uncertain path.  The federal coalition has delivered an initial response to Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to hand down his judgment on Thursday evening.  Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor said the opposition would not stand in the way of $300 energy bill rebates for Australian households.  But he criticised the governme ..read more

By Poppy Johnston A pitch to bring inflation back to target by as soon as Christmas has been muddied by economists worried about new spending and energy bill relief for all.   Forecasts embedded in the Albanese government’s third budget show inflation will go back within the two-to-three per cent range targeted by the Reserve Bank in 2024/25, helped along by cost-of-living relief measures.  The expansion of energy bill relief and another boost to Commonwealth Rent Assistance are expected to wipe half a percentage point off inflation.  If inflation makes it back to the target ban ..read more

Winners  Lower income households  - more energy bill assistance on the way  Small businesses – energy bill rebates and extension of asset write offs  Renewable and other energy companies – tax breaks and other incentives for investment  Renters – second year of increases in Commonwealth Rent Assistance  Losers Jobseeker and youth allowance recipients – no across the board increase despite recommendations   Foreign companies and residents – more funds to address tax avoidance and strengthening capital gains regime  Environment – no major disbursements to ad ..read more

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivers his third Budget to Parliament in Canberra on Tuesday. By Dominic Giannini and Andrew Brown Every household will receive an energy rebate and there will be an increase in commonwealth rent assistance in the federal budget as the treasurer promises to help struggling Australians without making inflation worse.  Jim Chalmers had promised more cost-of-living relief for Australians on top of already announced changes to tax cuts ahead of his third budget on Tuesday.  The budget would put downward pressure on inflation to ensure Australians aren’t h ..read more

AIC Victoria president Shakila Maclean questions the Budget’s support for home owners.  By Sam McKeith, Australian Conveyancer Magazine. Key players in the Australian conveyancing sector have cautiously welcomed the federal government’s 2024/25 budget, backing extra investment in housing while flagging a lack of new support for homebuyers trying to get into the property market.  Tuesday’s budget, which booked a surplus of $9.3 billion for the fiscal year to June 2024, commits $7.8bn for cost-of-living relief as well as more funds available for building houses, roads and other infrast ..read more

By William Ton Stakeholders have described the 2024 Victorian state budget as a subdued and stable spending plan compared to previous years. REACTION TO THE VICTORIAN BUDGET  “This is much more of a responsible spend and they’re recognising that it’s time to live within the means so in all, a no frills budget for business” – Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra. “Victorian workers would say this is a stable budget for a stable state” – Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari “The lack of innovation and the uncompetitive nature of our tax reg ..read more