#impact of coronavirus on australian business

[findyournextoffice]

Business Continuity Planning: A Comprehensive Guide In Singapore

Within the first three months of 2020, businesses around the world have faced both localized risks like the Australian bushfires and Iran-US conflicts, as well as worldwide threats like the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Many businesses were interrupted, forcing them to close.

As a result, organizations must always be prepared for incidents that could disrupt day-to-day operations, disrupt supply chains, or harm essential infrastructure. This can be accomplished by implementing a Business Continuity Plan (BCP), which is designed to reduce the impact of disruptive events on enterprises.

What is a BCP and what is its purpose?

BCP, as the name implies, is the process of keeping business activity and transactions flowing. It acts as a deterrent to disruptive occurrences that impede corporate operations, such as cyber-attacks, natural catastrophes, pandemics, and terrorist actions.

Why is a BCP required?

You continue to earn money.

You devise a consistent method of generating revenue in the face of disruptive circumstances.

Businesses may have some financial reserves to help them weather short-term downturns. However, if disruptive occurrences halt corporate operations for an Serviced Office extended length of time, such reserves will be drained. Even if firms have insurance, it is doubtful that insurers will pay all losses caused by disruptive occurrences.

When disruptive events occur, the deployment of BCP helps organizations continue with their contractual responsibilities and ensures that some money continues to accrue to them from their clients.

You uphold your legal commitments to employees.

Employers in Singapore have a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of their workers at work under Section 12 of the Workplace Safety and Health Act. The First Schedule of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act imposes an additional legal obligation on employers who engage foreign employees for the "upkeep and maintenance of (foreign employees)".

What Does a BCP Include?

Given that every one event might cause a variety of disruptive impacts, there is no "template" BCP for businesses to follow; instead, each BCP must be tailored to the disruptive events to which businesses intend to respond.

Nonetheless, a BCP might be constructed to include the following system:

Allows for alternate employment arrangements.

Makes use of precise blueprints for the rehabilitation of any vital infrastructure damage.

Look for alternate supplies to reduce company disruption.

Making alternate work arrangements:

Disruptive incidents can make day-to-day workplace operations difficult. For example, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, less workplace engagement is being prioritized to prevent virus spread.

As a result, alternate work arrangements such as "remote working" or "work from home" could be established as part of your BCP to enable the smooth continuation of the company while not severing contact between employees.

In addition, your BCP could include policies for separating employees into office and home-based teams, with teams rotating between working from home and at the workplace, and for prohibiting interactions between team members.

How to Create and Implement a Business Continuity Plan?

There are five general rules to follow when creating a BCP. These criteria can be summarised as the 5As, which will be explained in the order in which they should be considered.

1. Form a BCP team. 

A BCP team should be formed ahead of any catastrophe. To prevent duplication of roles and to guarantee that plans are easily transformed into actions, this team can be divided into a "command" group and an "action" group.

The "command" group should be made up of members of the organization's leadership team who have a broad understanding of how the numerous moving pieces of an organization work together.

2. Evaluate potential business threats

The BCP team should generate a list of probable organizational threats. To minimize blind spots in this assessment, they should follow up on this first brainstorm with a consultation of the larger organization via surveys and interviews.

Once a list of potential risks to the organization has been produced, the BCP team should investigate how these threats will influence the organization's day-to-day operations. In this case, the varied viewpoints and knowledge of the "command" and "action" groups will serve to ensure an overall understanding of the implications of prospective threats.

3. Plan of Action

Steps 1 and 2 will set the framework for the development of an action plan, which should be divided into three phases:

Prevention, response, and recovery are all important.

4. Acceptance

When disruptive events occur, any action plan should be approved by the BCP team's "command" group before being implemented.

Existing action plans will always be based on hypothetical circumstances, and the "command" group will be able to fine-tune the selected action plan in response to any continuing business changes.

5. Audit

The BCP should be audited regularly, either internally or by external specialists.

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[esgdatainrate]

Australia Balustrade Forecast to 2031 with Key Companies Profile, Supply, Demand and SWOT Analysis

Australia Balustrade Market Statistics- 2027

The Australia balustrade market size was valued at $44.1 million in 2019, and is projected to reach $54.5 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 4.0% from 2020 to 2027. The balustrade is a handrail supported by balusters, especially installed in balcony, terrace, and others. These balustrades are available in various sizes, patterns as well as materials for installation in residential and commercial spaces.

Rise in demand for commercial infrastructure developments in Australia drives the Australia balustrade market growth. For instance, Canberra’s largest independent hotelier DOMA built and inaugurated Little National hotel in Sydney in September 2020. Similarly, in December 2020, Australian boutique hotel group opened Lance more Crossley St. in Melbourne, which includes 113 private guest rooms with an exotic interior. Moreover, many commercial construction companies are engaged in business expansion in Australia to expand their production base and increase their production. Such factors offer lucrative growth opportunities for the market players during the forecast period.

In addition, surge in urbanization and population have fueled the demand for balustrade in residential and commercial spaces. Moreover, rise in demand for residential buildings is expected to continue to drive the Australia balustrade market growth. In addition, in June 2020, Prime minister of Australia announced the HomeBuilder scheme worth $688 million for Australians who are looking to build or renovate their houses. The grants are open to people whose income is less than $125,000 annually. In addition, in May 2020, Property Council of Australia (PCA) recommended a $50,000 new home boost scheme to help the building industry. However, the fluctuation in raw material prices may hinder the market growth.

The novel coronavirus is rapidly spreading across various countries and regions, causing enormous impact on lives of people and overall community. Originating as a crisis to human health, it now poses significant threat to the worldwide trade, economy, and finance. The impact of lockdown, owing to COVID-19 is vague and economic recovery of Australia balustrade manufacturers is completely based on its cash reserves. Market players can afford a complete lockdown only for a limited period, after which they would have to alter their investment plans. The Australia balustrade manufacturers need to emphasize on protecting their staff, operations, and supply chain partners to effectively respond toward immediate crisis and discover new ways of working after coronavirus cases begin to decline.

The Australia balustrade market is segmented on the basis of railing type, material type, and application. On the basis of railing type, the market is divided into interior railing, and exterior railing. On the basis of material type, it is classified into stainless steel, aluminum, wood, glass, and others. On the basis of application, the market is divided into residential, and non-residential.

Competition Analysis

Key companies profiled in the Australia balustrade market report include Absolute Balustrades, Advance Metal Industries (AMIA), Aluline, Aluminum Balustrades, Ammi Balustrades, Balustrading WA, Betta Balustrades, Oxworks, Protector Aluminum, and Ullrich.

Full Report With TOC:-https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/australia-balustrade-market-A11093

[21388]

COVID-19

On 22nd March 2020, federal and state governments announced restrictions on “non-essential services” due to ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus spread. The government announcements may have raised some questions as to whether or not Australians can still hire tradies to do jobs around the house.

We wanted to provide some facts to answer any potential questions you have about Covid-19:

The government restrictions are designed to limit large congregations in public.

The restrictions do NOT apply to the hiring of tradies for your home. The federal and state governments have been very clear about what type of businesses will be shut down. Hiring tradies to do work around the house is not among the types of activities that are currently impacted or restricted.

In many ways, continuing to hire tradies for any jobs you need doing around the home means you are also supporting local business during these tough times. By acting with common sense and compassion, we can limit both the impact coronavirus has on our own lives as well as the lives of others.

We want to assure our clients that we are keeping our interactions as safely as possible and in line with the latest government guidelines.

– Washing our hands regularly; – Hand sanitising our hands before and after a job; – Avoiding shaking hands with customers, suppliers and other tradies – and remaining a safe distance away at all times as per latest ‘social distance’ guidelines; – Accepting payments by credit card and direct debit to avoid handling cash; – Ensure tools are kept clean. Wipe them down regularly with a disinfectant cloth; – Staying home if any member of our family is unwell and reschedule the job; – Asking in advance our clients if is someone in their home are unwell or might be contagious;

While none of us can be sure how things will pan out, we’re committed to helping keep our clients safe, functioning and comfortable.

Thank you all for supporting our local family business

Take care and stay safe.

Aaron & Maria Fisher Source: https://www.ecoearthplumbing.com.au/covid-19-important-information/

[thenextrush]

Sydney Streetcam: Dining Scene Lockdown - How to support your local restaurants

Sydney Streetcam: Dining Scene Lockdown - How to support your local restaurants #sydney #cityofsydney #lockdown #pandemic #covid19 #coronavirus #auspol #nswpol #smallbusiness #sydneyeats #menulog @zomatosyd @zomato @menulog

Self Isolation Entertainment:  Netflix  |  Amazon Prime  |YouTube Originals  | Apple TV Plus |  Spotify Playlist

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[othersociologist]

The Economic and Social Costs of COVID-19

This is the last in this series about Race and COVID-19. Our panel looks at the impact of the pandemic on undocumented migrant workers, whose labour is exploited in Australia. The economy depends upon the work of racialised people, exposing them to high risk through the casualised frontline services that have kept the health system, and other businesses, going during lockdown. At the same time, racialised people are provided inadequate protections against infection, including poor personal protective equipment. Racialised people in general are disproportionately employed in sectors that have the highest rates of Coronavirus, including in hospitals, factories and abattoirs, where they are given little workplace rights, including sick leave. In other cases, migrant workers and international students were left without a safety net when Australia went into lockdown. They were simply told to go home, or else make do without the economic subsidies available to other Australians, even though for many of these migrants, Australia is their home. 

 Our panellists talk about the ‘punitive immigration policies’ which have impacted undocumented workers during the Coronavirus crisis, and how the theory on ‘curated storytelling’ plays out in race dynamics during the pandemic. 

Panellists 

Sanmati Verma is an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law. She has practiced exclusively in the area of migration law since her admission to practice in 2010. She is a migrant rights activist and immigration lawyer with the United Workers Union and the Migrant Workers Centre. In addition to her practice, Sanmati conducts regular community legal education and training seminars in refugee and migration law. She is currently a member of the Law Institute of Victoria’s ‘Legacy Caseload Working Group’ and was previously the chair of the Refugee Law Reform Committee. Sanmati was nominated for the Law Council of Australia’s award for Young Migration Lawyer of the Year in 2014 and 2015. 

Sujatha Fernandes is a Professor of Political Economy and Sociology at the University of Sydney. Previously she was a Professor of Sociology at Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Fernandes is the author of Cuba Represent! Cuban Arts, State Power, and the Making of New Revolutionary Cultures (Duke University Press, 2006), Who Can Stop the Drums? Urban Social Movements in Chávez’s Venezuela (Duke University Press, 2010), Close to the Edge: In Search of the Global Hip Hop Generation (Verso, 2011), and Curated Stories: The Uses and Misuses of Storytelling (Oxford University Press, 2017). Her latest book is The Cuban Hustle: Culture, Politics, Everyday Life (Duke University Press, 2020). She is an editorial board member of Transition: The Magazine of Africa and the Diaspora.SHOW LESS

[siancore]

Please note: This information comes from the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Equality Branch. I’ve worked in partnership with them. They do some good work with our rainbow communities and have staff who belong to said communities. 

As we enter Stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Stage 3 restrictions in regional Victoria, financial and mental health support is available for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people seeking help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Financial support

Many people across Victoria have lost work or have had their hours reduced due to the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Victorian Government is providing financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes a worker support payment and hardship payment for people required to self-isolate or quarantine, emergency food relief and an emergency rent relief grant.

For information on the range of financial support available see:

Victorian Government     information: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/financial-support-coronavirus-covid-19#extreme-hardship-support-program.

Commonwealth Government     information: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus

 For those people ineligible for income support

The Victorian Government is offering relief payments to international students, which can be found at: https://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/news-updates/international-student-emergency-relief-fund

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (03 9326 6066) and the Australian Red Cross (www.redcross.org.au) may be able to provide basic needs and assistance to asylum seekers, refugees and other temporary visa holders experiencing extreme hardship.

Importantly, the coronavirus (COVID-19) test is free for everyone in Victoria. This includes people without a Medicare card, such as visitors from overseas, migrant workers and asylum seekers.

Anyone who is legally allowed to work in Australia is also eligible to participate in the Working for Victoria initiative, which helps jobseekers find work and access online training, and helps employers quickly find workers with the skills and experience they need. For more information, please see: https://www.vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria

 Mental health support

Many people, including  LGBTIQ people, are experiencing mental health challenges at this time.

For advice on looking after your mental health during the pandemic and a list of support services, including LGBTIQ-specific support services, see:

Victorian Government     information: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-coronavirus-covid-19

Commonwealth Government     information: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/ongoing-support-during-coronavirus-covid-19/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions.

 The Commonwealth Government is providing an extra 10 Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions for Victorians affected by the second wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

For the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website dhhs.vic.gov.au or contact the dedicated coronavirus hotline 24/7 on 1800 675 398.

[swarajya7793]

Significant Impact of COVID-19 on Liquid Natural Gas in the Chemical and Materials Industry | Data Bridge Market Research

COVID-19 Impact on Liquid Natural Gas in the Chemical and Materials Industry

The epidemic of COVID-19 has caused immense and unforeseen social and economic tension. Its consequences are serious and it is too early to assess results, although its duration is uncertain. The LNG business is influenced in a variety of areas, with some obstacles but still having some prospects. The LNG industry will theoretically recover from this crisis more healthily than at the beginning of this year.

The first issue that impacted LNG (liquefied natural gas) was the collapse in the prices of crude oil. Brent crude oil dropped by mid-March 2020 to USD 24.88 per bbl from USD 70 per bbl in January 2020. The inclination to USD 34 per bbl in March compared with USD 64 per bbl in January may contribute to a decline in the price of LNG contracts, but the time gap embedded for other contracts which imply that the factors do not operate before mid-year. The average is around USD 64 per bbl.

Most of the customers gained lower spot rates last year because the majority of LNG was supplied under term contracts. In December 2019, the average LNG prices were USD 9.24 per MBtu imported into Japan. The real landed price could be half of that by mid-2020. Subsequent Asian markets are emerging from the current coronavirus or COVID-19. Crisis, low prices of the LNG are likely to boost the demand in the desired market.

Experts can see iron ore alternatives in Japan and Korea for gas / LNG, but demand in South Asia could be higher. Across Europe, a constructive reaction to demand is not expected to occur. For some time now prices were low as LNG traded is linked to gas hub prices instead of oil. Shortening has contributed to the lower gas usage and this is anticipated to decline in the second quarter as Europe ends the heating season. In March, LNG imports to Italy would possibly sum to only about one-third of last year's supply level in March.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON LNG

Gas industries are now experiencing fresh threats as a consequence of two events: the COVID 19 pandemics and global oil demand fluctuations as a result in the shortage of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Along with this, the existing imbalance between supply and demand in LNG markets will intensify and lengthen, contributing to a lower price setting. It could threaten, in the short term, up to 8% of global demand for LNG (over 25 million tonnes, or MTPA), whereas another one or two years could continue in the low price setting.

Current industry developments will jeopardize potential ventures and bring some firms under tremendous financial pressure including offshore gas discovery and development businesses, LNG suppliers and project developers. Meanwhile, purchasers of LNG will leverage on low rates to improve the contractual terms and facilitate the change from coal to natural gas. All companies are now checking their competitiveness and strengthening their business place in this modern world whether they maximize the gains of surplus or mitigate their disadvantages. The LNG industry controlled the effects of excess production until the COVID-19 pandemic. After 2015, global liquefaction production development peaked over 30 MTPA annually and the availability of LNG grew by about 10% each year. Markets could absorb this extra supply by a sluggish Chinese gas market growth in the early quarter of 2019 and by northeastern Asian demand contraction, pushing spot prices from 7 to 11 dollars per million British thermal units (mmbtu) in Europe and Asia to less than USD 5 per mmbtu.

The condition is predicted to escalate significantly with COVID-19. Through reducing economic growth, the pandemic has reduced the demand for natural gas in China, the second largest importer of LNG before now and the most steadily increasing LNG industry. While economic performance in China indicates a turnaround, Chinese natural gas demand growth would slip by half from previous estimates, at the annualized pace of inflation.

IMPACT ON DIFFERENT LNG

TRANSPORTATION LNG

The lock-ins was at sights as a consequence of rising prices for shipping to global markets and fast breakeven shale economies in the Covid-19. Companies in the value chain will react quickly, evaluate their position in light of the current business climate and take advantage of the short and long-term opportunity to gain value.

For instance,

In March, the Platts Gulf Coast Marker, which reflects the economies of American exports of LNG, was down below the Henry Hub. The U.S. LNG also seems vulnerable in a crisis- Asian consumers will just incur the toll payment for the cancelation of the U.S. LNG freight, whereas the cancelation of Australian or Qatar LNG freight requires the whole shipment to be billed or charged.

INDUSTRIAL AND POWER LNG

Major market players, similar to other LNG import companies, look unstable, this is most likely due to the contraction in business growth will lead to short-term impacts in energy production and the manufacturing companies. Early indicators in Italy have shown that after social distancing initiatives have been introduced, demand in certain sectors could have decreased in impacted regions by over 10 percent. While low LNG prices will allow some opportunities to switch to fuel in the short run, the structural and temporary existence of demand for natural gas is likely to restrict any potential upside on many markets, in conjunction with a rapidly falling overall energy demand.

COMPANIES STRATEGIC INITIATIVES DURING COVID-19

·         Wärtsilä launched the compact reliq reliquary machine in July 2020, which is designed to reliquify boil-off gas (BOG) on-board gas carriers and LNG bunker vessels and to maintain the cargo cold in all working conditions. The lightweight architecture enables it to be mounted on established vessels without significant maintenance research

·         In April 2020, Arctic LNG 1, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NOVATEK received approval for geological surveys, discovery and development in Gydan Peninsula with SLH 16637 NR in the Bukharinskiy sub-subsolar ship field. The concession area is partly situated in the offshore waters of a Bays of Ob and Taz in the independent state of Yamal-Nenets (YNAO) and will be granted for duration of up to 2050. The conditions of authorization mandate that the LNG natural resource should be utilized in the YNAO and neighboring water areas for liquefied natural gas infrastructure

·         In June 2020, Wärtsilä’s emissions abatement technology received order to provide its volatile organic compounds (VOC) recovery system together with an LNG fuel gas supply system, for two new 124,000 DWT shuttle tankers. The ships have been ordered by Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT), a leading independent owner and operator of shuttle tankers, and will be built at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine yard in Korea. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in April

·         In June 2020, Gazprom and RusKhimAlyans (project developer of the integrated gas processing and liquefaction complex; business was formed on a parity basis by Gazprom and RusGazDobycha) have concluded 20-year commercial contracts for the production of feed gas and selling of gas. The interconnected structure must also be supplied with raw resources in the long run

·         Gasum has launched new liquefied gas bunkering station in June 2020. The station is situated in the Port of Nynäshamn, Sweden, at the Ports of Stockholm. The new station had provided the innovative bunkering technologies that allow the ships to bunker environmentally sustainable fuel quicker than ever before. By implementing various strategies such as growing production capacity, new product releases, product availability, the manufacturers aim to achieve optimum market growth. The growth of LNG in application such as, transportation, industrial and power, and others is anticipated to offer favorable opportunities for the key players operating in the market. Factors such as the places for distribution and sales are expected to help improve the company's overall role. Small domestic players and emerging players in developing countries in particular are likely to gain opportunities to establish themselves on the market

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the effect of Covid-19 on the availability of LNG would continue much longer than the effects on global demand for LNG. The U.S. has been the new epicenter for the epidemic of COVID after the move from China to Europe, as the third most populated nation in the world and the biggest natural gas user, the implementation of restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID is expected to have a significant impact. Effects on the world demand for electricity due to freezing weather from mid-March until the end of April, the rise in usage was led by an improvement in increasing the gasoline prices in the residential and business market. Whereas throughout the industrial sector gas use has been very stable and over the span has risen marginally. The energy sector seems most affected by COVID, but despite a downward trend in electricity demand, has increased gas and renewable energy production, especially coal, is offsetting energy generation from many other sources.

With the transition of Covid-19 from China to America, the USA has been the global epicenter for the COVID epidemic. The implementation of restrictions to limit the spread of COVID is expected to have a significant impact on the global gas market, is the third-largest country with the population and the largest consumer of gas. Since these restrictions in the US were enforced at the start of March, the consumption of petrol rose relative to 2019. The rise in usage is motivated by cooler weather, which raised the demand for gas in the residential and business sectors from mid-March to the end of April 2020.

[newstfionline]

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Meat Is Latest Cyber Victim as Hackers Hit Top Supplier JBS (Bloomberg) The world’s biggest meat supplier has become the latest casualty of a cybersecurity attack. JBS SA shut its North American and Australian computer networks after an organized assault on Sunday on some of its servers, the company said by email. The attack sidelined two shifts and halted processing at one of Canada’s largest meatpacking plants, while the company canceled all beef and lamb kills across Australia, industry website Beef Central said. Some kill and fabrication shifts have also been canceled in the U.S. Hackers now have the commodities industry in their crosshairs with the JBS attack coming just three weeks after the operator of the biggest U.S. gasoline pipeline was targeted. It’s also happened as the global meat industry battles lingering Covid-19 absenteeism after recovering from mass outbreaks last year that saw plants shut and supplies disrupted.

China’s future gateway to Latin America is a mega-port in Peru (America Economia) Despite local opposition, Chinese investors are pumping billions into the Chancay project, a massive port complex north of Lima that will boost trade between China and Latin America as a whole, reports Gonzalo Torrico in business magazine America Economia. The Chancay port complex, with an initial investment of $1.3 billion, will turn this fishing and farming town into a regional hub that could redefine shipping lines in the entire southern Pacific. Since 2019, the project’s main stakeholder is the Chinese state firm Cosco Shipping Ports (60%). Cosco is a partner in 52 port projects worldwide. But in the Americas, Chancay is the first being built with Chinese capital. The complex is expected to be fully functional by 2024, helping consolidate China’s influence in South America, and in Peru especially. In the last decade, this country has become the regional crux of China’s economic and geopolitical interests. So far, Chinese firms have invested more than $30 billion in Peru, a figure exceeded only by money spent in Brazil. The principal sector is mining, which has absorbed more than half all these investments and has proven to be an excellent source for the mineral materials China needs to keep its industrial sector humming. One of those materials is copper, which Peru produces in great quantity.

More boats on canals and rivers than in 18th century as thousands opt for life afloat (Guardian) Little more than six months ago, Paul and Anthony Smith-Storey were still living in a three-bedroom semi-detached house near St Helens in Merseyside. But now the couple—and their dog, Dexter—have traded it all in for a life afloat in a two-metre-wide narrowboat on Peak Forest Canal in Derbyshire. “We took the equity out of the house, bought the boat and thought we’d enjoy it while we were still alive,” said Anthony, 48, an NHS sonographer. They are not the only ones. Record numbers are spending time on Britain’s rivers and canals, according to the Canal and River Trust. Such is their popularity that the charity, which manages 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, says: “There are more boats on our canals now than at the height of the industrial revolution.” The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) said there are about 80,000 powered boats across the waterways of England, Scotland and Wales. Boat builders and sellers put the surge in interest down to the pandemic.

NSA spying row: US and Denmark pressed over allegations (BBC) European powers have pressed the US and Denmark over reports the two worked together to spy on top European politicians, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Danish broadcaster DR said Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service (FE) collaborated with the US National Security Agency (NSA) to gather information from 2012 to 2014. Mrs Merkel is among those demanding answers. “This is not acceptable between allies, and even less between allies and European partners,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, after speaking with Mrs Merkel.

The Taliban Say They’ve Changed. On the Ground, They’re Just as Brutal. (WSJ) During a recent trip, Kamaluddin visited a barbershop to obtain the illicit pleasures of clean-shaven cheeks and a fashionable mustache. But the shopkeeper, 25 years old, planned to let it regrow before heading home, wary of incurring the Taliban’s wrath. His father and brother were caught last month using smartphones in their home district of Arghistan, an area effectively ruled by the movement. The insurgents confiscated the devices, which could be used for supposedly un-Islamic behavior such as playing music and videos, and forced the men to swallow their SIM cards. Kamaluddin recounted the incident as he waited to return from Kandahar, the government-controlled provincial capital. “They will put me in prison if they see me like this,” he said. “If the Taliban come back, they will bring darkness.” The Taliban, ousted from power by a U.S.-led invasion 20 years ago, are poised to expand their influence as American forces leave the country. The group has sought in recent months to present themselves as a responsible state actor to regional powers and the West. Indeed, some of their most-violent punishments, such as amputations for accused thieves, are used less frequently than in the 1990s as they seek to avoid alienating Afghans. Yet accounts from Kamaluddin and others living under Taliban rule, as well as insurgents themselves, suggest that the group’s governance is as ruthless as ever.

Delhi Reopens a Crack (NYT) The Indian capital, which just weeks ago suffered the devastating force of the coronavirus, with tens of thousands of new infections daily and funeral pyres that burned day and night, is taking its first steps back toward normalcy. Officials on Monday reopened manufacturing and construction activity, allowing workers in those industries to return to their jobs after six weeks of staying at home to avoid infection. The move came after a sharp drop in new infections, at least by the official numbers, and as hospital wards emptied and the strain on medicine and supplies has eased. Life on the streets of Delhi is not expected to return to normal immediately. Schools and most businesses are still closed. The Delhi Metro system, which reopened after last year’s nationwide lockdown, has suspended service again. But the city government’s easing of restrictions will allow people to begin returning to work—and, more broadly, to start to repair India’s ailing, pandemic-struck economy.

Myanmar carries out air strikes after militia attacks (Reuters) Myanmar’s military used artillery and helicopters on Monday against anti-junta militias in the country’s east, witnesses and rebels said, forcing residents to flee and join thousands of others displaced by recent fighting in the region. Residents of Kayah state bordering Thailand said the military was firing artillery from positions inside the state capital Loikaw into Demoso, about 14.5 km (9 miles) away, where a People’s Defence Force said it had attacked troops and was coming under heavy fire. Myanmar’s military is fighting on multiple fronts and struggling to impose order since its Feb. 1 coup against Aung San Suu Kyi and her elected government, sparking nationwide protests and paralysing strikes. Decades-old conflicts between the military and ethnic minority armies have also reignited, while militias allied with a shadow government have stepped up attacks on the army, which has responded with heavy weapons and air strikes, forcing thousands to flee.

North Korea’s missile warning (Foreign Policy) North Korea warned the United States on Monday that relaxing South Korea’s missile limits could lead to an “acute and instable situation” in the region. “The termination step is a stark reminder of the U.S. hostile policy toward (North Korea) and its shameful double-dealing,” said Kim Myong Chol, an unofficial mouthpiece for Pyongyang, in a statement issued by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency. The United States recently lifted a 500-mile range restriction on South Korea’s missile program, in place since 1979. South Korea’s industrial ability to ramp up new missile production “could lead to an arms race with devastating implications,” Donald Kirk wrote last week in Foreign Policy.

Australian court upholds ban on most international travel (AP) An Australian court on Tuesday rejected a challenge to the federal government’s draconian power to prevent most citizens from leaving the country so that they don’t bring COVID-19 home. Australia is alone among developed democracies in preventing its citizens and permanent residents from leaving the country except in “exceptional circumstances” where they can demonstrate a “compelling reason.” Most Australians have been stranded in their island nation since March 2020 under a government emergency order made under the powerful Biosecurity Act. Surveys suggest most Australians applaud their government’s drastic border controls. The Australian newspaper published a survey last month that found 73% of respondents said the international border should remain closed until at least the middle of next year.

Lebanon’s economic crisis (Foreign Policy) Lebanon’s economic collapse could rank within the top 3 “most severe crises episodes globally since the mid-nineteenth century,” according to a new report issued by the World Bank. The report cites the “brutal and rapid” contraction of Lebanon’s GDP, which dropped from $55 billion in 2018 to $33 billion in 2020. “The social impact of the crisis, which is already dire, could rapidly become catastrophic,” the report notes, as more than half of Lebanon’s population is already living below the poverty line.

Congo killings (Foreign Policy) At least 55 people were killed in overnight attacks near two villages in eastern Congo, close to the border with Uganda. Congolese officials blamed the attack on the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamist insurgent group that in March was deemed a foreign terrorist organization by the United States. The group killed more than 850 people in 2020, according to the United Nations. At the beginning of May, President Félix Tshisekedi declared a state of siege across the affected regions, surging troops in a bid to quell violence.

[southeastasianists]

As one of the world’s top travel destinations, the impact of COVID-19 on the Indonesian island of Bali has received intense media scrutiny — and speculation. After foreign arrivals and transits were temporarily suspended on March 31, by mid-April most international media coverage had shifted from stranded tourists to those seeing out the pandemic in paradise.

Dozens of stories detailed luxury lockdowns and quiet beachfront retreats. After Sky News interviewed a British family spending their lockdown “watching the sunset and playing in a paddling pool,” Indonesians began to push back, including award-winning investigative journalist Febriana Firdaus who tweeted: “Can we just stop publishing stories on the matter of the tourist gaze? This is so wrong at many levels of journalism.”

With 235 confirmed cases, 121 recoveries, and four deaths at the beginning of May, Bali did not emerge as the coronavirus hotspot that contagious disease experts had predicted. Rather, it had one of the lowest fatality rates in Indonesia. At the same time, however, it has been widely reported that Indonesia has had one of the lowest per capita testing rates in the world, with Bali being no exception. As Indonesia’s total number of cases increased steadily — and the much-cited Reuters report of record high burials in Jakarta did the rounds — stories of Bali’s “mysterious immunity” caused consternation for Indonesian public health experts and journalists alike.

On May 12, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo praised Bali’s provincial government for its handling of the outbreak, attributing the “success” of containment efforts to the island’s 1,493 desa adat (traditional villages). From meting out “social sanctions” like push-ups for those who violate nationwide mandatory mask use to taskforce members in traditional masks denying entry to those attempting to access closed areas, the efforts of local authorities, both creative and standard, have been widely celebrated.

After Jokowi’s stamp of success, foreign media began focusing on Bali’s timeline for reopening, but official estimates varied. Three days after Jokowi praised the Bali government and the traditional village system, the secretary of the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani, said in a statement that the Ministry was planning to “revitalize destinations” in select parts of the country, including Bali, between June and October, while partial reopening “may begin” in October.

On the same day, the head of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association’s Badung Regency chapter, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, told the ABC that Bali would “hopefully” reopen in July. Minister for National Development Planning Suharso Monoarfa, echoed this projection on May 28, announcing that “we expect Bali will be ready to open for business soon in July.”

Predictably, dozens of media outlets jumped on the July reopening period, while others opted for far less click-worthy October. For Gustra Adnyana, co-owner of a library cafe in Ubud, the contrasting timeframes only fueled his skepticism of the reports. “It isn’t clear lately,” he said. “It makes me doubtful of the accuracy of the media.”

As the squall of articles on when tourists could return to their favorite resort island intensified, so did the severity of adjectives used to describe the impact of COVID-19 on Bali’s economy. As James Guild writes in New Mandala, “some of the more sensationalist [news items] tend to privilege the perspective of foreigners or use somewhat alarmist language to push a narrative of impending disaster.” He also notes discrepancies in reports of the percentage of tourism’s contribution to Bali’s GDP. Al Jazeera pegged it at 80 percent, while Coconuts Bali quoted the deputy chief of Bank Indonesia’s Bali office, who put it between 54 and 58 percent. The latter is in line with the Central Statistics Agency’s 2019 figure of 55 percent, which Guild cites.

“For me,” he writes, “this idea that Bali will die without tourists comes uncomfortably close to a White Savior narrative, implying that local people have no choice but to hunker down and endure this crisis until foreigners start showing up again to rescue them. Such framing strips Indonesians of their agency in rising to meet this challenge, something they are quite capable of doing and have done many times before.”

Community-led initiatives to help the nation’s most vulnerable groups withstand the pandemic — such as Donations for Transwomen Bali and Pasar Rakyat Bali — receive significant local coverage, but expat-founded charities tend to attract more international media attention. A similar sentiment was expressed by Shane Preuss in The Diplomat, who pointed out that “what the Australian media has missed is the resilience of the Indonesian people.”

He also points out that in the 2019 Legatum Prosperity Index, Indonesia ranked fifth in the world for social capital and first for civic and social participation, with the highest levels of volunteering of any country. In the 2018 Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Index Indonesia also ranked first for frequency of donating and volunteering.

Meanwhile, Eve Tedja, an associate editor of a gourmet and lifestyle publication, believes that when it comes to local perspectives, foreign media coverage of COVID-19 in Bali is “very lacking.” She contends that “if there is more coverage about real issues as opposed to Bali’s ‘mysterious immunity,’ maybe journalism can become the motor to create the necessary change.” Tedja feels that the “only genuine voice of Balinese perspectives” is independent community-based journalism portal Bale Bengong, which “allows us to speak our often unheard and most often, reluctantly voiced, opinions.”

At the end of May, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster quashed speculation on when Bali would reopen, stating there were no plans to restart the tourist industry in the near future. As reported by Kompas, Koster has insisted his government is putting the health of the island’s population first. After a recent increase in local transmissions, bringing the total number of confirmed cases as of June 10 to 608 with 409 recoveries and five fatalities, he has reemphasized the ban on large gatherings of any kind, ordered tourist sites to remain closed, and urged residents to be more cautious.

The Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry has declared that when travel restrictions are eased, Bali will be the pilot location for the Ministry’s Cleanliness, Health, and Safety (CHS) program. The program will be rolled out across the archipelago’s top travel destinations as part of Indonesian tourism’s transition to the “new normal,” although Bali’s Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha won’t be using this term. “In the context of Bali, I don’t call it the new normal, I call it the new era of Bali, which will change the paradigm of tourism in the future,” he said during the Indonesia Tourism Forum teleconference on May 15.

So what do Balinese want their island’s “new era” to look like?

Many are concerned about environmental sustainability and preserving the natural beauty of their island, which, prior to the pandemic, drew increased volumes of tourists annually. In 2019, international arrivals grew 3.6 percent from the previous year to 6.3 million, according to the Central Statistics Agency’s Bali office.

Putu Evie, a dancer, dance teacher, and member of Trash Hero Indonesia, believes the CHS program’s hygiene and sanitation protocols will need to address the issue of waste and single-use packaging. “The public still believes single-use plastic is the answer to maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, so there must be a change in mindset first. Whether we want to or not, with this pandemic, we must learn to confront this problem.”

Although the island has long suffered from alarming amounts of plastic waste on land and in its seas and waterways, confronting the crisis has only become a major government focus in the last two years, according to Andre Dananjaya, a co-producer of Pulau Plastik, a collaborative campaign tackling single-use plastic in Indonesia.

Environmental preservation is also a priority for Ayu Gayatri Kresna, a traditional chef in Bengkala Village, North Bali. She feels that the island “needs to consider returning to quality tourism, where guests appreciate and participate in preserving the sustainability of nature, culture, and traditions.”

Cultural tourism should be one of the foundations of Bali’s new era, says Jero Mangku Istri Alas Arum, who was ordained as a Hindu priest at the age of eight in Batur, northeast Bali. “There is a cultural and spiritual sanctity that we must maintain in Bali. When this is protected, tourism will be sustainable.”

Ida Bagus A. Gangga, a member of the Desa Adat Dawan COVID-19 taskforce in Klungkung on the island’s southeast coast, believes there should be equal focus on the health and safety of the population as there is on the environment. Similarly, I Gusti Krishna Aditama, who works for a national character-building association, says “the environmental aspect needs close attention, because this is where we work and live. If the environment is destroyed, where will we live?”

In a similar vein, hotelier Bagus Ari Saputra asks, “Do we want Bali to essentially be a playground, or theme park, where people from the outside come in and have fun in a plastic space designed for their entertainment, or do we want it to be something that serves the people who live here, who in the end are responsible for managing the development on the island and the preservation of its culture and natural resources?” Bagus admits, however, that “in the end, money talks, and custom decides which places proliferate or prosper, so it will always be a dance between local landowners, developers, and business owners on the one hand, and the tourists who come here on the other.”

Wulan Saraswati, an author and Indonesian language teacher for international students, believes “we need to stop looking at Bali only as a source of foreign exchange, as if Bali only comes from foreigners who bring money. Why don’t we also look at the other potential that lies within Bali itself?”

After the massive decline in tourism caused by COVID-19, which many say is worse than the downturn after the 2002 Bali bombings and the 2017 Mount Agung volcanic eruptions combined, Koster has declared that developing other sectors of the economy, such as agricultural exports, will now be a government priority.

This is welcome news for 24-year-old specialty coffee farmer and processor I Kadek Ari Darsana in Pelaga, Central Bali, who has also worked as a tour guide. “For young Balinese who are worried about the stability of a career in tourism, I think farming is an answer.” Ayu Sudana, also a young specialty coffee farmer and processor, shares his optimism: “Coffee is a great option as no matter what happens in the world, people will still drink coffee.”

As the island’s tourism industry remains dormant, I Made Ady Wirawan, head of Udayana University’s School of Public Health, notes the most likely tourists will be Balinese themselves. “This is a good time for Bali to prepare itself.”

When the island does reopen, he urges that “the new era or new normal must be in parallel with government efforts to increase capacity in testing, treating, tracing, and isolating cases.”

[shruticmi-universe]

COLLAGEN FILLER MARKET ANALYSIS

Collagen Filler Market, by Product Type (Collagen with PMMA and Collagen without PMMA), by Source (Bovine, Porcine, and Others), by Application (Face Rejuvenation, Wrinkles, Scar Treatment, Lip Treatment, Cellulite Reduction, and Others), By End User (Hospitals, Dermatology Clinics, and Others), and by Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) - Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2020 - 2027

 Collagen fillers are dermal fillers used in skin surgery to reduce skin wrinkles, improve appearance of scars, and to eliminate lumps formed in lips. Collagen fillers are also called fat injectable fillers/soft tissue augmentation. Collagen fillers are used in plastic cosmetic surgery by injecting collagen into the skin in order to fill up the area being treated in patients. Dermal fillers such as collagen fillers have temporary cosmetic effect as they contain materials such as collagen which is absorbed by the body in a particular interval of time.

The global collagen filler market is estimated to be valued at US$ 393.8 million in 2020 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period (2020-2027).

Figure 1. Global Collagen Filler Market Value (US$ Mn), 2016-2027

The increasing demand for cosmetic procedures such as smile correction and lip treatments across the globe is driving growth of the global collagen filler market. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s 2018 report, around 23,266,374 cosmetic procedures, including smile line corrections, lip treatments, scar treatment and face lift procedures, were carried out in 2018. Moreover, according to same source, there was 15% of increase in cosmetic procedures across the globe in the last four years.

Furthermore, initiatives and guidelines imposed by various national regulating bodies are also driving growth of the global collagen filler market. For instance, in February 2020, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency published guidelines for individuals undergoing cosmetic surgeries which are as follows: cosmetic procedures should only carried out by the registered health practitioner in Australia, individuals should know the treatments and should ask details about the procedures before they are conducted, individuals should know which medical devices or products are used in cosmetic procedures, and health practitioners should take informed consent of individuals before conducting the cosmetic procedures.

 Global Collagen Filler Market – Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, the disease has spread to over 100 countries across the globe and the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency. According to the World Health Organization’s report, manifestation of coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in more than 33.1 million infected individuals worldwide as of 28 September 2020.

Furthermore, due to COVID-19 pandemic, cosmetic surgery governing authorities implemented new set of guidelines for carrying out cosmetic procedures. For instance, in May 2002, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, health practitioners should strictly avoid in-office visits and should follow virtual consultations, carry out regular COVID-19 testing of the staff in hospitals as well as regular temperature checks, follow social distancing guidelines in hospitals, mandate use of personal protection equipment for health practitioners while checking patients, implement sanitization of floors, desk and doors in hospitals, eliminate the patient waiting areas in hospitals whenever possible amid the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid the spread of coronavirus infection.

Figure 2. Global Collagen Filler Market, By Share (%), By Region, 2020

In North America, key companies are focusing on strategic collaborations and partnerships to expand the use of dermal fillers for cosmetic procedures which is expected to drive the market growth in this region. For instance, in May 2020, Sinclair Pharma, a company operating in medical aesthetics, collaborated with Suneva Medical Inc., company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing novel, differentiated regenerative products in U.S. The collaboration will lead to expand the Sunneva Medical Inc., aesthetic portfolio and help in strengthening its market positioning.

In Europe, the collagen filler market is expected to exhibit significant growth during the forecast period owing to increasing focus of companies on obtaining product approvals to strengthen their position in the global collagen filler market. For instance, in January 2018, Sinclair Pharma, a medical aesthetic company, received sales approval for the collagen filler, Ellanse, in Brazil from the Brazil's National Sanitary Surveillance Agency, ANVISA.

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   Key Players

Major players operating in the global collagen filler market are Allergan, Inc.,  Johnson & Johnson, Collplant Holdings Ltd, Ortho Dermatologics, Inc.,   Suneva Medical, Inc., Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA, Surgical Specialties Corporation, Sinclair Pharma, Inamed GmbH, and Endo International plc.

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[somescribblestoperuse]

A moment in history to create change for the better

As I fly out of Phnom Penh, the sun sets, figuratively and literally, on my four-month Cambodian adventure, cut short by two-thirds. The goodbyes were short and sweet - done on purpose as I’ve learnt my weakness over years gone by (tears are usually guaranteed). Even though anxieties and stress and adrenaline have been running high this week, at the same time, it’s not total despondency. It’s bittersweet as I look forward to seeing family and friends. I feel hopeful there is still more to come for my story in this wonderful country and with those I’ve met. Just under different circumstances - at least I would hope…

Within 4 days I’ve packed up my life (for the second time in 4 months), as we were told to return home ASAP. I’m returning to a country full of people that have gone into a state of panic (which I don’t think I’m quite prepared for alongside re-entry shock). But in amongst all the chaos, I realise we really are so privileged as Australians. We have a government that I have enough confidence in to intervene as necessary to get us home, if anything went wrong. I have money to fund my return. I have a support network of family and friends who will provide food, supplies and shelter as needed. While I acknowledge there are many within Australia that will experience their own hardships, especially with jobs jeopardised, we will recover in time - in terms of economy, jobs, health care and otherwise. Our country is developed enough to create innovative solutions and evolve and adapt accordingly, if we focus on the opportunities.

I can’t say the same about any of these points for Cambodia. Most of all, I have serious concerns about the impact this pandemic will have on the Khmer people. Foreigners (Barang) are leaving in hordes. Tourism will die down indefinitely affecting many businesses and essentially the livelihood of many. There is a fine line between those who do and don’t live in poverty. For the average tuk tuk driver, a small decline in their daily income can be the difference between eating or not. For the average family, one health scare - in a country with essentially a non-existent health care system - can be the difference between their children attending school or dropping out to earn money for the family. 

It’s a scary time for everyone indeed. But is there any silver lining? I’m an optimistic person and would like to say there is. However, this once again may be coming from a place of privilege - where I don’t have many immediate worries apart from getting myself home and finding another job using a skill set that is fairly adaptable.

So that silver lining: I’d summarize my hope to be that we learn greater awareness, respect and empathy for our fellow humans and this world as a whole. For many that contract COVID-19, they will recover. But that’s not the point - it’s having an awareness of the potential impact on others and doing something to help them. It’s about not fighting with someone in the middle of Woolworths for toilet paper but rather respecting each other and not letting fear dominate. It’s about having empathy for others and realising that we are incredibly connected and social creatures, who rely on one another, especially mentally as we all go into isolation. We have already seen a wonderful example of the good side of humanity come out of Italy, with people gathering on their balconies to sing and dance along to music blasted throughout the area. And those who are volunteering in their community to buy food and supplies for the more vulnerable. And many more examples I’m sure.

This empathy needs to extend outside one’s own country. We need to respect the fragility of this globalised world we live in. If we don’t have empathy and an understanding of the world beyond our borders, we will continue to be baffled and severely affected by any future situations like Coronavirus because our scope was too narrow. We will also never fully understand the impressive impact we can make as a connected global community. 

What do I mean by this? Let’s look at the example already coming out of Venice - the canals are clear and wildlife is returning for the first time in a long time as a result of reduced tourism. This has happened in the space of weeks. Sure it’s taken a global crisis but we know it’s possible to create change - we just need to want it enough and to finally take action. It doesn’t have to take a global crisis to implement systemised measures. You might say, ‘yeah but human lives are at stake because of COVID-19 and that’s why we’ve done something about it’. But the thing is human lives will continue to be at stake as a result of environmental and climate change disasters. That’s what we learnt the hard way during the Australian bushfires this past summer. Let’s continue to learn from what’s happening at the moment. In Australia, we had the opportunity to take a stand after our bushfire crisis but we didn’t. Let’s not miss the opportunity again.

As a global community, we can make changes and a positive impact, together. Whether it’s for the environment, looking out for the mental wellbeing of others, or improving the systems we have in place for the vulnerable and underprivileged in our society who are severely affected by incidents and crisis. We just need respect, awareness and empathy for our fellow humans and the world as a whole.

For me, I like to think I have grown in these ways over the last four months in Cambodia but even moreso over the last few days (which you would hope considering I’m doing an awful lot of preaching right now). We were told to pack our things and leave. Don’t say goodbye to everyone. Don’t wait a couple of weeks. Just leave. I can’t even imagine being in a more vulnerable situation, such as an asylum seeker or refugee escaping their country because of war or famine or whatever it may be. Unimaginable fear with no place to go. It’s a position I hope I never have to be in. As I sit on the first leg of my flight home, I’m more grateful than ever before of both my life and the country I live in.

So what’s next? On a personal level, I’m looking forward to two weeks isolation, which may sound strange (and maybe don’t quote me on that in 5 days). I’ll need the time to recuperate, reflect and take those first steps to set myself up again. Also, can’t complain about some Netflix and couch time (again, fully aware of privilege here).

On a global scale, let’s get through these next few weeks and months together. Don’t let fear dominate. Be kind. This will become a significant moment in history with potential to change the world as we know it. Let’s not miss the opportunity to learn from it and create change for the better.

[thenextrush]

Coronavirus and agriculture - how worried should we be?

Coronavirus and agriculture - how worried should we be? #farmingfact @aussiefarms @saveaustfarming @farmingfirst #auspol #coronavirus #sydneybusiness #melbournebusiness #brisbane #adelaide #coronavirusoutbreak #coronavirusoutbreak

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. VISIT WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION FOR MORE

The coronavirus outbreak is already…

[buzzdixonwriter]

Duty Now For The Future (part six)

Small and mobile

There’s a Venn diagram to be made of the overlap among --

The tiny house community

The nomad community

Homeless people living in cars

These are all reactions to a capitalism driven consumer economy:   Buy real estate!  Build big house!  Fill them full of stuff!  Buy more real estate!  Build bigger house!  Buy more stuff! (Go deeply into debt paying us high interest rates on the inflated prices of your purchases.)

Somewhere in that diagram -- more to the tiny house side of the equation -- sit those who make a conscious choice of “Hold!  Enough!” and take steps to reduce their footprint and baggage.

At the other end, people forced out of homes and apartments desperately trying to keep their lives together long enough to get a roof over their heads.

In the middle (and I think this is a huge overlap in the nomad community) are those who, faced with the prospect of losing their permanent residence, tell others (and let’s be honest, themselves) that they voluntarily made the choice to take up the nomad lifestyle.

Now there’s a fourth overlap to add to the diagram:

People who won’t / can’t afford to travel abroad.

Soon-ok and I are extremely fortunate that we got to take some trips to Europe over the last decade or so, as well as going together to Korea, plus a few trips to Hawaii.

We are -- and will remain -- extremely leery of traveling anywhere by air in the future (by train or bus, too).

Unless and until there’s a vaccine, we’re a little leery of cramming ourselves into a metal tube with strangers for hours on end, then traveling to crowded tourist spots.

Even before the coronavirus we’d discussed when we should stop traveling by air for our trips and start traveling by car or train.

We enjoy Canada and would be delighted to return there, and the US still offers many under visited regions and attractions we’d love to see.

With tourism and airline travel taking a massive hit -- one from which they will not speedily recover due to lack of consumer confidence and high unemployment -- more Americans will opt for domestic travel and trips, driving their own vehicles.

Vans and SUVs will remain a favored vehicle since they can be easily converted or adapted to self-sufficient long distance traveling and tourism.

Campgrounds and trailer / RV parks already exist; the large amount of underused / abandoned shopping mall space offers opportunities to provide similar services for small scale urban travelers who don’t want to sleep out in the wild under the stars but in the comfort and safety of their own van, on a parking lot patrolled and maintained well enough to be safe.

This is good news for the domestic auto industry and the various companies that support it.

It will also put enormous pressure on bringing the price of self-driving vehicles down low.  Insurance companies will offer lower premiums to folks and families who let the car do the driving, and that, coupled with the appeal of just being able to sit back and enjoy the scenery / watch a video / read a book / take a nap / get ring-tailed drunk, will push that market forward.

Eventually we’ll reach a tipping point where a lot of people and their families will see more sense and cents in living in a vehicle than owning a home, and then real estate will take another tumble.  (What about the children, you ask?  Remote learning; the Australians have been doing it successfully in the outback for generations).

It’s not for everybody, but it’s sure gonna be for a lot of people.

. . .

Sports are broken and need to get fixed

Captain Lou Albano, when asked if professional wrestling was fixed, famously answered, “It wasn’t broken.”

Sports now are broken.

(I want to differentiate between sports in the forms of athletics, as in team sports for students, neighborhood bowling leagues, city marathons, etc., and sports as a business where personalities and icons are marketed to fans and the revenues derive less from the gate and more from advertising and merchandising incomes; we’ll be discussing primarily the latter here.)

I’m surprised that with all the numerous sports games and simulations out there, ESPN or some other entity failed to see the potential of wholly digital sports, pitting classic era teams against one another in a competition decided purely by AI.

Seriously, for the average fan sitting in front of their TV at home, what separates a digital team from a real team?

The personalities?

Okay, fine, you can recruit and groom real life personalities for the fans to idolize, but then you can stage everything else safely (and less expensively) in the digital realm.

Don’t raise your eyebrow at me; this is essentially what professional wrestling does.

People really interested in sports for the grace and skill watch amateur competitions as well as professional ones.

Fans interested only in proving their tribe is superior to other tribes, not so much.

You can still keep national / regional / state / city chauvinism going through digital imagery.

Of course, it will be argued that the opportunities for fixing such an event are rampant.

So?

The chauvinist fans just want to win, they don’t care how.  

The Boston fans can view a streaming channel where their teams wins the playoffs all the time; the New York fans get their channel where they win, etc., etc., and of course, etc.

Amateur athletics will reman unfixed, of course (well, officially unfixed).  People will watch those because (a) children or relatives are playing or (b) they play themselves.

The (b) group will watch televized tennis and golf because those are sports they enjoy and they hope to pick up pointers.

The (a) group will go to games and meets because that’s what family does.

(By the way, expect track and field, golf, tennis, volleyball, and related sports to rise in popularity among students and other amateurs; they allow play while social distancing.)

. . .

Capitalism is fixed and needs to be broken

Capitalism works when it’s kept on a leash with a muzzle and we pick up after it when it poops on people’s lawns.

What we face now is rabid coyote capitalism.

A big hunk of the problem will be self correction as major corporations will face a rapidly changing future and divest themselves of everything they consider marginal.

That’s gonna be a lot of stuff.

Dominos falling now will topple other dominos we can only guess at, but rest assured, corporations do not flourish when dominos topple.

Another part will be the realization that despite almost a century of lies by the 1% and their alt-right / cryptofascist stooges, less government is not better government.

For all the claims that a free market economy could respond more nimbly to changing circumstances, we now face a brutal pandemic that could have been blunted and was blunted by nations with a better handle on their economies.

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t be effectively mounted by a market based system for the brutally simple reason that there was no market for such a response before the pandemic occurred.

That’s the job of a government; to look ahead and anticipate and plan and prepare and at least have some coherent response to any number of threats that might suddenly arise.

In the past we had national governmental agencies that tracked pandemics and the spread of disease so as to minimize both their loss of life and the impact on the economy.

For all his sins and shortcomings, George W. Bush and his administration realize the threat pandemics posed and took great strides to organize America’s response so them should they occur.  Barack Obama built on that, organizing it even better, learning from mistakes made in earlier pandemics to make the response to the next one more efficient.

Donald Trump tore all that down in a fit of pique in order to pass the savings along to his billionaire donors.

It’s as if he closed down the fire department and then, when a five-alarm blaze broke out, asked his cronies to start designing smoke alarms.

A rising tide lifts all boats, but it drowns those who can’t get in one.

The other side of the COVID-19 pandemic will want a return to “normal” not “greatness”.

There is, of course, no genuine “normal” to return to.

What we can do is progress, move forward, make the next model of American society better.

A lot of people -- old white people, primarily -- aren’t going to like that.

COVID-19 may be trying to tell ya sumthin’, folks…

 ”I was born by a river, oh man, in this little old tent, oh Just like this river, I've been running ever since It's been a long, long time coming But I know, but I know, a change is gotta come Ooo yes it is” -- Otis Redding

 © Buzz Dixon

[rajaproperti-blog]

Can bushfires affect the real estate market?

Can bushfires affect the real estate market? - With heavy rains hitting NSW and dramatically reducing the number of active fires in the state, australian house prices two potential disruptors to the real estate market now stand side-by-side. They beg the question of what influence increasingly severe and reoccurring weather events may have on the real estate market and whether they are having an effect already.

Over this summer, property market in sydney more than 11 million hectares have been destroyed by bushfires while over 2,000 homes have been lost from fires over the summer.

While these fires and the advent of coronavirus have been marked as two significant potential impacts on the Australian economy in the short-term, harga rumah di australia there is also the question of how these fires will affect the real estate market or whether they will have much of an impact at all. While there have been structural losses to many homes, much of the destruction has occurred to bushland in and outside of national parks, which complicates the potential for fires to have an impact on the real estate market acutely.

Read More : bisakah orang indonesia membeli rumah di australia

How will increasingly frequent and large-scale fires affect insurance premiums?

Since September last year, approximately 8,500 claims worth $700 million in losses have been made to insurance companies. rumah di australia The Insurance Council of Australia, led by chief executive Rob Whelan, warned the Australian government in January that insurance premiums could rise due to these events without effective adaptation and mitigation. This involves measures such as reevaluating where we live and how we prepare against future bushfire effects.

Climate risk analyst Karl Mallon authored a report with the Climate Council in 2019 called ‘Compound Costs: harga rumah di melbourne How Climate Change is Damaging Australia’s Economy’, noting that the property market could lose $571 billion in value by 2030 due to climate change and consequent extreme weather.

The report extended this projection to estimate a loss of property values from climate change of $770 billion by 2100. However, these projections do focus on the effects of flooding more than fires. While the Commonwealth Bank’s 2018 annual report noted the impacts of flooding, inundation, apartemen di australia bushfires, soil contraction and wind as all having a potential impact on the major bank’s lending portfolio and insurance premiums, inundation/flooding was seen as the most significant.

“High risk properties make up only 0.01% of our portfolio (by outstanding balance) in 2020,” beli rumah di australia the report states, “and rises to be around 1% in 2060 if there are no changes in the way we lend in these areas.”

“Locations affected by climate risk are expected to experience an increase in maintenance and damage costs, property in perth leading to higher insurance costs, due to flooding, storms, bushfire and drought, with rising sea levels expected to have the most significant increase.”

The relatively small scale of structural damage caused by fires compared to floods poses less of a direct risk to the insurance industry and property prices, real estate australia but there may be a strong potential for indirect impacts.

Will bushfires affect property prices?

The same report from the Climate Council warned that the effects of climate change could potentially wipe off $571 billion from property values by 2050, australia house while the Actuaries Institute warned that 1 in 10 houses could become uninsurable by the end of the century due to climate change, but predictions like these are made harder to make when you consider certain shifts in how (technological advancements, mitigation, adaptation) and where we live in the future as we continue to adjust to increasingly extreme weather events.

In the short term, there are more indirect effects on real estate prices that may be harder to measure. house in australia These include pressures placed on living standards, industries and businesses that may have a cumulative effect on markets. For instance, air quality in Canberra over the 2019/20 summer fires was so poor that in early January the very department which oversees Australia’s response to disasters and emergencies, the Department of Home Affairs,

was forced to temporarily shut its offices, while the health effects of Canberra’s compromised air quality is not yet known. australia house prices The Washington Post reported that emergency room visits for asthma and breathing problems in Sydney “increased more than 34 percent in the period from Dec. 30 and Jan. 5 compared to a year earlier.”

This raises the potential for people to consider their future options and seek new destinations less prone to such risks (though as was seen with smoke reaching New Zealand, houses for sale in australia this can be hard to escape). Whether this has an effect on prices is unclear.

Similar indirect effects might be seen when considering industries such as tourism, which are impacted by these volatile summer seasons exactly when they expect and rely on peak tourist numbers. australia property If tourism and related small business industries are hit by repeated seasons as was seen this past summer, the commercial and residential real estate markets may be affected.

The rental system sees short term pressures placed on it during times of severe natural disaster, when people forced from their homes require immediate living alternatives. property in australia As part of the recovery from natural disasters such as fires, those that can afford to repair and rebuild faster than others can financially land back on their feet faster, potentially exacerbating inequalities in the market. This isn’t restricted to individuals but entire communities, such as those on Kangaroo Island, which saw severe fires that damaged almost half of the island.

Finally, as part of a growing awareness of increased risks from intense fire seasons, there is the potential effect from increasing demand for homes within urban centres and decreased demand for homes in regional markets, houses for sale melbourne growing this price divide between urban and regional markets.

In the short term, however, there seems to have been little impact on regional markets from the fires. Corelogic data for December dwelling values showed .5% month-on-month growth for regional NSW, .7% growth for regional Vic and .8% growth for regional Qld, despite the large-scale fires. melbourne property It may be too soon to be assessing the effects of the fires on regional areas of those states most impacted. Larger market forces may have played a stronger short-term role in house values, such as interest rate cuts,

the loosening of loan serviceability policies, and the fact that standard variable mortgage rates are sitting at rates not seen since the 1960s, with November seeing rates at 4.8% compared to a peak of 17% in November 1989. sydney property Capital cities on the eastern seaboard weren’t affected by bushfires, which is hardly surprising, with Sydney seeing values rise by 8.2% since finding a floor in May 2019.

What is clear from this past bushfire season is that the economic considerations being factored by major industries, such as the banking sector, houses for sale sydney have moved from abstract calculations in annual reports to real impacts on regular homeowners and that calculating the effects of increasingly volatile fire seasons is more complicated than simply looking at those areas immediately affected by bushfires.

[creditoau]

COVID-19 Information and Support for Small Businesses

This is a difficult time for many SMEs (small and medium sized businesses), with recent events leading to economic and personal challenges for many small businesses.

We have developed this page to keep small businesses informed about the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses in Australia, and the assistance options in place to support you.

We will be regularly updating this content to keep you informed of the latest information.

Cash Flow Support

Boosting Cash Flow for Employers

What is it?

Eligible businesses that withhold their employees’ tax to the ATO will receive a payment equal to 100% of the amount withheld between March and June 2020, up to a maximum payment of $50,000, with a minimum payment 10,000.

There is also an additional payment of up to $50,000, with a minimum of $10,000. To qualify for the additional payment, the entity must continue to be active for the periods June to September 2020.

Eligible entities will receive at least $20,000 up to a total of $100,000 under both payments.

How does it work?

The ATO will deliver the payment as a credit to your business upon lodgment of your activity statements.

Quarterly lodgers will be eligible to receive the payment for the quarters ending March 2020 and June 2020.

Monthly lodgers will be eligible to receive the payment for the March 2020, April 2020, May 2020 and June 2020 lodgments. To provide a similar treatment to quarterly lodgers, the payment for monthly lodgers will be calculated at three times the rate (300 per cent) in the March 2020 activity statement.Where the credit places the business in a refund position, the ATO will deliver the refund within 14 days. The minimum payment will be applied to the entities’ first lodgment.

Eligible entities who received initial cash flow boosts will receive additional payments, for the periods June to September 2020, equal to the total amount of initial cash flow boosts received. This will be delivered in either two or four instalments depending on your reporting period.

Amount:

Between $20,000 and $100,000 under both payments.

  When will it be received?

Initial payments between 28 April and 28 July 2020. Additional payments between July and October 2020.

Who is eligible?

SMEs and not-for-profits (including charities) that employ workers.

With an aggregated annual turnover under $50 million (based on prior year).

Active employers established prior to 12 March 2020. However, charities which are registered with the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission will be eligible regardless of when they were registered, subject to meeting other eligibility requirements.

Made eligible payments you are required to withhold from (even if the amount you need to withhold is zero).

Government fact sheet:

Boosting cash for for employers

JobKeeper Payment

What is it?

A subsidy payment of $1,500 per fortnight per employee or sole trader for up to six months. The payment will help businesses affected by the Coronavirus retain their employees and continue to earn an income.

How does it work?

Employers and sole traders must apply to the ATO and provide supporting information demonstrating a downturn in revenue. In addition, the number of eligible employees employed by the business on a monthly basis must be reported.

Amount:

$1,500 before tax, per fortnight per employee for up to six months.

Who is eligible?

Businesses:

with revenue of less than $1 billion and experiencing a 30% decrease in revenue relative to a comparable period a year ago (e.g. March 2020 compared to March 2019); or

with revenue of $1 billion or more and experiencing a 50% decrease in revenue relative to a comparable period a year ago (e.g. March 2020 compared to March 2019); and

not subject to the Major Bank Levy.

Self-employed individuals will also be eligible to receive the JobKeeper Payment where they have suffered or expect to suffer a 30%decline in turnover relative to a comparable prior period a year ago (of at least a month).

Employees:

must be Australian Citizens or hold an eligible work visa; and

on the employers books on 1 March 2020 and continues to be engaged by the employer – including full-time, part-time, long term casuals (at least 12 months) and stood down employees.

Eligible employers who stood down employees before the commencement of this scheme will also be able to participate. Employees that are re-engaged by a business that was their employer on 1 March 2020 will also be eligible.

When will it be received?

The subsidy starts 30 March 2020, with the first payment in the first week of May 2020. Payments will be backdated to 1 March 2020.

Payment Process:

Payments will be made to the employer monthly in arrears by the ATO.

If an employee normally receives $1,500 or more in income per fortnight before tax, they will continue to receive their regular income. The JobKeeper Payment will assist their employer to continue operating by subsidising all or part of the income of their employee(s).

If an employee normally receives less than $1,500 in income per fortnight before tax, their employer must pay their employee, at a minimum, $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.

If an employee has been stood down, their employer must pay their employee, at a minimum, $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.

If an employee was employed on 1 March 2020, subsequently ceased employment with their employer, and then has been re-engaged by the same eligible employer, the employee will receive, at a minimum, $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.

Government fact sheet:

 JobKeeper Payment

  Asset Write-off Threshold Increase

What is it?

The instant asset write-off threshold will be increased from $30,000 to $150,000. The higher threshold is in place from 12 March until 30 June 2020 and applies to new or second-hand assets installed in businesses during these dates.

It will provide cash flow benefits for businesses that will be able to immediately deduct purchases of eligible assets. The threshold applies on a per asset basis, so eligible businesses can immediately write-off multiple assets.

When will it be received?

From 12 March until 30 June 2020, for new or second-hand assets first used or installed ready for use in this timeframe. The instant asset write-off is generally claimed back via your business tax return.

Who is eligible?

Businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million).

ATO fact sheet:

 Increasing the instant asset write-off

Accelerated Depreciation for Investments

What is it?

Businesses will be able to deduct an additional 50% of an asset cost in the year of purchase from 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2021. This is designed to support business investment and economic growth over the short term.

When will it be received?

From 12 March 2020 until 20 June 2021.

Who is eligible?

The depreciating asset must:

Be new and not previously held by another entity (other than as trading stock)

Not be an asset to which an entity has applied depreciation deductions or the instant asset write-off rules

Be first held on or after 12 March 2020

First used or first installed ready for use for a taxable purpose on or after 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2021

ATO fact sheet:

 Accelerated depreciation

Extended Eligibility for Job Seeker Payments (for sole traders)

What is it?

Eligible sole traders will be granted access to the job seeker allowance, which now includes an additional coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight for the next six months.

The standard waiting periods and asset tests will be waived to allow quicker access to these payments. Individuals will still be able to keep operating their businesses and earn up to $1,075 per fortnight before their payments are affected.

Amount:

$550 per fortnight.

Who is eligible?

Sole traders that meet the job seeker allowance income test.

When will it be received?

After your application has been approved via the Services Australia website.

ATO fact sheet:

 Increased and accelerated income support

Early access to superannuation (for sole traders)

What is it?

The Government is allowing sole traders who have seen their hours of work or income fall by 20% or more as a result of the pandemic to access their superannuation. This is capped at $10,000 this financial year and a further $10,000 next financial year. The withdrawals will be tax free.

Amount:

$10,000 this financial year and $10,000 next financial year.

Who is eligible?

Sole traders whose income has dropped by 20% or more.

When will it be received?

On successful application via the myGov website when applications open in April 2020.

Government fact sheet:

 Early access to superannuation

Wage Subsidy for Apprentices and Trainees

What is it?

Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50% of an apprentice’s or trainee’s wage for up to 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.

Amount:

Businesses can be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice, (which is $7,000 per quarter for the first three quarters of 2020).

Who is eligible?

Small businesses with less than 20 full time employees who retain an apprentice or trainee. The apprentice must have been in training with the small business on or before 1 March 2020.

When will it be received?

From early April 2020. For information on how to apply, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider. Claims for this subsidy must be lodged by 31 December 2020.

Government fact sheet:

 Supporting apprentices and trainees

Tax Payments Relief

What is it?

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) will consider relief for certain tax obligations to eligible businesses, including deferring tax payments up to four months.

How does it work?

If disruption to your business operations causes you to fall behind with your tax and/or super obligations, read the ATO’s information on COVID-19 and call them on 1800 806 218 to discuss a support plan for your business.

Who is eligible?

Anyone impacted by COVID-19.

Government fact sheet:

 Support measures to assist those affected by COVID-19

Loan Payments Relief

What is it?

The Australian Banking Association has announced that Australian banks will defer loan repayments for small businesses affected by coronavirus for six months.

How does it work?

Any small business that has a bank loan should contact their bank directly to apply. A list of hardship contact details for Australian banks can be found on the ABA website.

Who is eligible?

Small businesses affected by coronavirus.

ABA fact sheet:

 Banks announce Small Business Relief Package

WA Coronavirus Relief Package

What is it?

The Western Australian Government has announced $114 million in measures to support small business during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

$17,500 grants for small businesses with a payroll between $1 million and $4 million.

The $1 million payroll tax threshold (announced in October 2019) will be brought forward by six months to 1 July 2020.

Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply now to defer payment of their 2019-20 payroll tax until 21 July 2020.

Government fact sheet:

 WA coronavirus relief package

Assistance for Severely Affected Regions and Sectors

What is it?

Financial assistance to support regions, communities and industries that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak, including those heavily reliant on industries such as tourism, agriculture and education.

How does it work?

$1 billion will be spent through existing or newly established Government programs or initiatives. In addition, the Government is assisting the airline industry through a package of up to $715 million.

Amount:

$1.7 billion.

Who is eligible?

The Deputy Prime Minister will work with affected industries and communities to develop recovery plans and measures.

When?

As soon as possible.

ABA fact sheet:

 Assistance for severely affected regions and sectors

Supporting the flow of credit

Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme

What is it?

The Government will provide support of up to $40 billion of unsecured lending to SMEs, with an initial six month repayment holiday.

Under the scheme, the Government will provide participating lenders (including non-bank lenders) a loan guarantee of 50% for new eligible loans to be used for working capital.

The loans will be unsecured, meaning you will not have to provide any assets as security.

Lenders will be encouraged to provide facilities with draw downs such as a Line or Credit or Overdraft. The borrower would only need to pay interest on any funds drawn down from the facility.

How does it work?

Eligible banks and non-bank lenders will receive the loan guarantee for loans that meet the terms below. SMEs, including sole traders can apply with a participating lender.

Amount:

Up to $250,000.

Who is eligible?

Eligible lenders will receive the loan guarantee for loans with the following terms:

Businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million

Maximum loan size of $250,000

Maximum loan term of 3 years (with a 6 month repayment holiday)

For working capital purposes

When?

Early April 2020 until 30 September 2020.

Government fact sheet:

 Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme

Queensland COVID-19 Jobs Support Loans

What is it?

Low interest, 10 year loan of up to $250,000 to assist with working capital expenses such as wages, rent, rates and other related expenses. Interest will be fixed at a rate of 2.5%.

How does it work?

The scheme is for Queensland businesses (including non-for-profits) financially impacted by COVID-19, to retain employees and maintain operations. Loans will be provided for a term of 10 years, with no repayments or interest charged in the first year, followed by two years of interest only payments. Principal and interest repayments will commence from the third year for the remainder of the term.

Amount:

Up to $250,000.

Who is eligible?

Queensland businesses financially impacted by COVID-19 can apply if they have the following information:

Business Financial Statements for 2017-18 and 2018-19

Personal Taxation Returns for 2017-18 and 2018-19

Bank Account Information

Australian Tax Office (ATO) Integrated Client Account Statement

Aged list of debtors and creditors at time of application

Applicant Identification

Organisation Constitution or Rules of Association and Certificate of Incorporation (if applying as a non-profit organisation)

Trust Deed (if applying as a trust)

When?

Open until 25 September 2020 or until funding is fully committed.

Government fact sheet:

 Queensland COVID-19 Jobs Support Loans

Exemption from Responsible Lending Obligations

What is it?

To allow lenders the ability to move quickly to support small businesses, the Government is providing an exemption from responsible lending obligations for a period of six months in relation to the credit they extend to their existing small business customers, provided there is an existing borrowing relationship and some proportion of that credit is used for business purposes.

Government fact sheet:

 Helping small businesses get access to credit

Reducing the Cost of Credit for ADI Lenders

What is it?

A term funding facility from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to Authorised Deposit-Taking Institutions (ADI).

Banks will have access to $90 billion in funding at a fixed interest rate of 0.25%. This will reinforce the benefits of a low cash rate by reducing funding costs for banks, which in turn will help reduce interest rates for borrowers.

To encourage lending to businesses, the facility offers additional low-cost funding to banks if they expand their business lending, with particular incentives applying to new loans to SMEs.

Amount:

$90 billion.

Government fact sheet:

 Supporting the flow of credit and reducing the cost of credit

Support for NON-ADI and Smaller ADI Lenders in the Securitisation Market

What is it?

The Government is providing $15 billion to the Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) to invest in structured finance markets used by smaller lenders, including non-ADI and smaller ADIs.

This program will assist smaller lenders, who will not benefit from the RBA’s term funding facility, to maintain access to funding and support competition in the lending market. This in turn will help keep down borrowing costs for businesses.

Amount:

$15 billion.

Government fact sheet:

 Support for NON-ADI and Smaller ADI Lenders in the Securitisation Market

The post COVID-19 Information and Support for Small Businesses appeared first on Credito.

COVID-19 Information and Support for Small Businesses syndicated from https://credito.com.au/

[lucabielski]

PR MARKET ANALYSIS WEEK 1: Corona Blow for Shanghai Footy

-  Article Taken/Reformed by Mitch Cleary For personal use

- March 4th 2020

- Luca Bielski (Holmesglen Student)

AFL have announced that the upcoming fixture between ST Kilda & Port Adelaide will no longer be happening in Shanghai.

While this is a big blow for the development of the game and the potential growth of attraction it’ll bring to aussie rules football, it was the correct decision to be made on such short notice.

Due to Coronavirus pandemic and spread throughout the world, the fixture has been moved to another venue and date.

With Marvel Stadium unavailable on Saturday and Sunday of Round 1, the only call for the fixture to happen is a week later, switching their byes from Round 12 to Round 11

The match will now be allocated to the twilight spot on June the 7th along with Richmond v North Melbourne earlier in the day.

Victorian Government has not forgot about the chinese influence within this game & round, and decided to focus on celebrating chinese culture even with the absence of the Shanghai Venue.

All tickets bought for the match in Shanghai will be immediately refunding to all supporters and patrons.

Both Clubs will now feel the impact of lost potential business opportunities within the chinese market. 

Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan has stated that: “Our team have monitored the situation in China closely. We have taken advice from the Australian Government, the World Health Organisation and our Chief Medical Officer” 

"It is evident that the coronavirus still poses a significant risk internationally and quite simply we will not compromise the health and safety of any of our clubs, supporters and AFL team members.

"I would like to thank both the Australian and Chinese governments, along with the St Kilda and Port Adelaide football clubs for their cooperation and shared view of ensuring the health and safety of all was paramount." 

Coronavirus is a continuing story, this is a massive hit to business affiliations with the chinese markets that are invested in the Aussie Game. 

Type of PR Activity: Article promoting a campaign/statement to the AFL fanbase 

Who is leading the Campaign: AFL / AFL Board of Executives

PR Tools being used: Statement / Clarification to AFL fans / Press conference 

How I saw the video/How I engaged: I saw this through the official AFL website where they shared this information and statement through their NEWS section. I looked at the article to gather all research and information for this post. 

Critical Reflection: This statement was a quickly made message to the public, to announce the news that the AFL and the Chinese government wouldn’t go through with this AFL fixture due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I personally think this message to the public was executed correctly to let the AFL fanbase know of the fixture and its update amongst the crisis. 

 https://www.afl.com.au/news/381249/afl-calls-off-china-game-new-venue-and-round-reveale