Climate change featured heavily during the election and now the Albanese Government is putting into place some of the promises it made. We look at the current state of play and the likely impact.
The Government’s Climate Change Bill passed the House of Representatives in early August and is now before the
Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for review. But what impact does the legislation have on business and
consumers in Australia?
Under the Paris
Agreement,
a legally binding international treaty, Australia and 192 other parties committed to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas
emissions to limit the global temperature increase in this century to 2 degrees Celsius while pursuing efforts to limit the increase
even further to 1.5 degrees. At this level, the more extreme impacts of climate change - floods, heatwaves, rising sea levels, threats
to food production - can be arrested. As part of this commitment, the parties are required to communicate their emissions reduction
ambitions through a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). On 16 June 2022, Australia communicated its updated NDC to the UN,
confirming Australia’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and a new, increased target of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 (a
15% increase on the previous target). The Climate Change Bill enshrines these emission targets into legislation.
The Bill itself sets an accountability framework for climate targets but does not introduce mechanisms to cut emissions.
Impacted industries
The energy sector is at the heart of climate change producing around three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. In Australia, the CSIRO says energy contributes approximately 33.6% of all emissions, with a further 20.54% from stationary energy (from manufacturing, mining, residential and commercial fuel use), transport 17.6%, and agriculture 14.6%. The future of the energy industry is also at the crux of the Government Powering Australia policy.
The move toward mortgage brokers and away from direct lenders by borrowers is continuing to increase.
For most people, a car loan is often the second largest household expense and it’s one that can cost a lot more these days with the high price of new cars.
ONLINE WEBINAR
27 July 2023 // 12:30-1:30pm
(ESG) considerations have become increasingly important for investors as they look to make investment decisions that align with their values
and have a positive impact on the world.
One solution used by many businesses is to lease the equipment. By choosing to lease, businesses can spread out the cost of the equipment over several years through manageable monthly payments
Off-market normally just means that the property is sold without it ever being listed. This can be with the help of an agent, or privately.
When it comes to negotiating, there are some things you can do to make the process more transparent and easier. For the most part, it comes down to being prepared.
On 1 July 2023, award rates of pay and the National Minimum Wage increased by 5.75%.
With inflation still remaining high and continuing to increase the official cash rate, borrowers should consider returning to fixed rate loan products.
Industrial property market has seen the vacancy rate hit another new record low despite projections of a surge in supply.
The digital games and interactive entertainment sector is the largest creative sector in the world and one of the fastest growing industries worldwide.
Office assets were considered a premium commercial investment choice, with high demand from offshore buyers.
The 120% skills and training, and technology costs deduction for small and medium business have passed Parliament.
Investors remained focused on the release of inflation data and how ongoing pricing pressures might affect monetary policy settings in key regions.
Bianca Carroll's dedication and commitment to excellence have culminated in her being recognized as the Emerging Adviser of the Year, a remarkable accomplishment that is a testament to her perseverance.
ONLINE WEBINAR
21 June 2023 // 12:30-1:30pm
Many people believe that if they have a valid Will they also have
an estate plan, but this is not so. While a Will outlines where the deceased individual's assets will be distributed, it does not
include various other documents and directives that are available.
In a recent Harvard Study on the key ingredients to happiness, while extreme wealth won’t buy you happiness, having financial security can help you avoid stress and solve problems faster.
Compounding is an extremely effective investing tool, says Morningstar Investment Management’s Head of Institutional Portfolio Management and Solutions, Jody Fitzgerald, but it’s important to be aware of its inverse power on the downside.
With a few weeks left until the end of the financial year, it's time to optimize our SMSF or other super funds and maximize available strategies.
Young investors in their 20s and 30s possess a valuable asset for investing.
Over the past few years, service stations have been a favoured investment option.
Industrial property is putting upward pressure on rents, according to a new report from Savills
As EOFY approaches, it's important that Australian businesses prepare for their tax responsibilities and reassess their financial strategies.
One of the most common mistakes when refinancing a car loan is to ignore your credit score.
A pre-approval is simply a lender indicating they’d be willing to loan a certain amount to a potential buyer. However, it's important to remember that a pre-approval is not a guaranteed loan.
With the cost of living surging, many Australians likely wish their mortgage was already paid off.
Upside Realty found a significant increase in open home attendance across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
The end of the financial year is always a busy time for property investors, however, with the right preparation you can make the most of your available deductions.
SMEs face new challenges and opportunities with the ESG trend. This article offers a balanced breakdown of ESG, its varying perspectives, implications for SMEs, and the pros and cons.
Recently, Fair Work legislation has been amended in a number of areas and if you’re a business owner with employees, you should be across these.
When considering a mortgage, it's advisable to research different lenders and their product offerings to determine if they provide offset accounts as an option.
Several costs come with refinancing a home loan, although some of these costs are added to your new mortgage. You can get a rough estimate of the cost to refinance your mortgage by using a refinance calculator, or engaging a mortgage broker.
On settlement day, it's important to consider tasks such as reviewing the final settlement statement, ensuring funds are available for the down payment and closing costs, and conducting a final inspection of the property before completing the purchase.
A reverse mortgage is a type of loan that allows homeowners who are typically 62 years or older to convert a portion of their home equity into cash.
Mortgage refinancing is the process of replacing an existing mortgage with a new loan, typically to secure better terms, lower interest rates, or access equity in the property.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is a form of insurance that protects the lender in case a borrower defaults on their home loan, typically required when the borrower's deposit is less than 20% of the property's value.
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Construction loans are a type of financing specifically designed to fund the construction or renovation of a property, providing borrowers with the necessary funds in stages as the construction progresses.
When preparing to buy a property, it's important to assess your financial readiness, research the real estate market, determine your needs and preferences, and secure financing options.
Family guarantee
When buying a first home, it's crucial to consider factors such as budget, location, property condition, future needs, and financing options.
When buying a house at auction, one should consider factors such as conducting thorough research on the property's condition, setting a budget limit, assessing potential renovation costs, and understanding the terms
Mortgage stress occurs when a household struggles with financial obligations and meeting their mortgage repayments.
The Government has announced that it will enshrine a right to superannuation payments in the National Employment Standards (NES).
For many business owners, superannuation is something that gets attention in June — when tax planning comes into focus. But the real opportunity lies in planning your super contributions at the start of the financial year, not the end.
The new financial year has officially clicked over – and with it comes the trio of mid-year obligations every employer needs on the radar: Single Touch Payroll (STP) finalisation, WorkCover declarations, and Payroll Tax annual reconciliation.