It has been a challenging few months for each of us personally and often professionally. Feedback from many of our AORA Members has indicated that, whilst there have been some struggles, our industry seems to be weathering the COVID-19 crisis better than many others.

Despite this, I know that some of our members have needed to utilise the available Government assistance to “tide them over” and keep their people employed. Others who have not yet used the Government assistance may need to do so in the near future. That’s why I’d like to give this quick update on the future of these programs.

Last week, the Federal Government confirmed the extension of the JobKeeper payment by six months to March 2021, providing businesses with some certainty during this challenging time. From 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, full time employees will receive $1,200 per fortnight, whilst part-time and casual employees working less than 20 hours per week will receive $750 per fortnight. From 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021, full time employees will receive $1,000 per fortnight, whilst part-time and casual employees working less than 20 hours per week will receive $650 per fortnight.

Businesses will still need to show a reduced turnover of 30% (or 50% if the businesses turnover is more than $1 billion), but reporting requirements have changed. Businesses will now need to show that they have met the relevant decline in turnover test in both the June and September 2020 quarters to be eligible for the JobKeeper subsidy in the December quarter. Businesses will then need to demonstrate that they have met the decline in turnover test again in the December 2020 quarter to be eligible to receive the payment in 2021.

The Taxation Commissioner will have discretion to set out alternative tests that would establish eligibility in specific circumstances where it is not appropriate to compare actual turnover in a quarter in 2020 with actual turnover in a quarter in 2019.

Further information on the JobKeeper extension is available online at https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/jobkeeper/extension.

As always, don't hesitate to call or email me if you would like to discuss any issues, [email protected] or 0458 404 898.

We are thinking of all of our members in VIC and hope that your staff and their families are all safe and well.

Peter Olah

National Executive Officer

AORA PARTNER NEWS

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The report outlines the history of compost standards, comparison with overseas requirements, impurities and provides a summary of key findings.